THE BIG SCREEN/MOVIES
Sony Pictures has landed the film adaptation rights to Freida McFadden’s psychological thriller, The Surrogate Mother. Journalist-turned-screenwriter Anna Klassen (The Last Sunrise) will pen the screenplay with Marc Evans (The Gorge, The Old Guard) producing. Centered on Abby, a woman who has struggled with infertility treatments and failed adoptions for years, the story presents motherhood as just out of reach for the main character, until her personal assistant Monica makes her a very generous offer that could turn this dream into reality. But it turns out Monica isn't who she says she is. The woman now carrying Abby's child has an unspeakable secret, and she'll stop at nothing to get what she wants.
The Wonder Company (Sacramento, The Astronaut) is set to adapt Jaden Payne’s murder mystery novel, There Are 3 Women & 4 Men. Set in 1970s London and Boston, the story follows an eccentric art curator, Laurent Fontaine, who invites six lucky guests to the grand re-opening of his famous art museum for a private showing. Things go from bad to worse when the guests start to realize this entire experience has actually been designed for the greatest discovery of all: one of them murdered Fontaine’s wife and he intends to find out who.
Academy Award nominee John C. Reilly (Stan & Ollie) has joined the cast of Sponsor, Apple Original Films’ psychological thriller starring and co-written by Jason Segel. Sponsor centers around Peter (Segel), who makes a big mistake when he gets behind the wheel after partying too hard. A terrible accident leaves him with a choice: prison or a recovery program. Convinced he doesn’t have a drinking problem, he begrudgingly shows up to his first meeting and searches for a sponsor. In walks the no-nonsense, charismatic yet enigmatic Jerry (Reilly), who Peter becomes convinced is the answer to his prayers. Jerry's unusual approach transforms support into a troubling situation Peter struggles to leave.
Ava DuVernay and David Oyelowo are re-teaming for the feature film, Heist of Benin. DuVernay will direct and Oyelowo will star. Set against the backdrop of contemporary London, Heist of Benin is described as a “thriller that intertwines art, love and restitution.” The duo are reuniting after previously collaborating on their Academy Award-winning film, Selma. The screenplay is by Jesse Quiñones (Calloused Hands, Cage Fighter), based on an original idea.
TELEVISION/STREAMING
Netflix has ordered a series adaptation of Liz Moore's bestselling novel, The God of the Woods. The author will serve as a co-showrunner, writer and executive producer alongside The Girl from Plainville's Liz Hannah. The God of the Woods follows the mysterious disappearance of a teenage girl, Barbara Van Laar, from a summer camp in 1975, which echoes the unsolved disappearance of her older brother 14 years prior. The series will tell the story of the wealthy Van Laars as they fight to hold their family together, unearthing devastating secrets in the process. As the past and present collide, the Van Laars’ wealth and influence unravel, revealing the damaging consequences of privilege and the abuse of power. No cast has yet been announced.
Netflix won a bidding war to nab So Far Gone, an adaptation of Jess Walter’s bestselling novel, from screenwriter Mark Bomback (Defending Jacob, The Wolverine), with a straight-to-series order. The drama follows Rhys Kinnick, a reclusive journalist whose self-imposed exile in the woods is upended when his long-estranged grandchildren arrive on his doorstep after their mother disappears. When the children are kidnapped by a cult connected to their father, Rhys must re-enter the fractured world he abandoned. Joined by a bipolar retired detective and a sharp-tongued ex-girlfriend, he embarks on a wild and suspenseful quest to save them and track down his missing daughter, rediscovering his own capacity for connection along the way.
James McAvoy’s crime series, Meantime, will begin filming in London and Glasgow in February 2026. Jon S. Baird will direct, based on a screenplay Neil Webster adapted from comedian Frankie Boyle’s crime fiction novel. The story is set in Glasgow in 2015 and follows Valium addict Felix McAveety, whose best friend Marina is found murdered in the local park. Felix goes looking for answers to questions that he quickly forgets. He thus enlists the help of a ragtag group of friends and neighbors, and their investigation sends them on a bewildering expedition that involves elements of Scottish radical politics.
Netflix has given fans a first look at Jo Nesbø's Detective Hole, a nine-part crime drama inspired by the Norwegian author's beloved book series. Slated for release on 26 March 2026, the whodunnit will follow Harry Hole, played by Tobias Santelmann (Point Break, Exit), as he rushes against the clock to catch a serial killer. To date, the only other actor to portray Harry Hole on screen is Michael Fassbender, who led the 2017 feature film, The Snowman.
Apple TV has shared a first look at its upcoming adaptation of the psychological thriller, Imperfect Women, which the streamer also revealed is set for a spring premiere. Created for television by Annie Weisman and based on Araminta Hall’s novel of the same name, the series examines a crime that shatters the lives of the decades-long friendship of three women (Kerry Washington, Elisabeth Moss and Kate Mara) and explores guilt and retribution, love and betrayal, and the compromises we make that alter our lives irrevocably. The cast also includes Joel Kinnaman, Corey Stoll, Leslie Odom Jr., Audrey Zahn, Jill Wagner, Rome Flynn, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Violette Linnz, Indiana Elle, Jackson Kelly, Keith Carradine, Ana Ortiz, and Wilson Bethel.
NCIS: Tony & Ziva will not be getting another season on Paramount+. The streamer announced it was cancelling the spinoff series starring Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo as the beloved titular characters, just two months after the release of the Season 1 finale. The series picks up after Ziva’s supposed death when Tony left the NCIS team to go raise their daughter. Years later, Ziva was discovered alive, leading her to complete one final mission with NCIS before she was reunited with Tony and their daughter in Paris. Since then – and where we find them in NCIS: Tony & Ziva – Tony and Ziva have been raising their daughter, Tali, together. When Tony’s security company is attacked, they must go on the run across Europe, try to figure out who is after them, and maybe even learn to trust each other again so they can finally have their unconventional happily ever after. The first season also starred Amita Suman, Maximilian Osinski, Julian Ovenden, Nassima Benchicou, Lara Rossi, Isla Gie, Terence Maynard, and James D’Arcy.
MGM+ is developing a period hourlong series from Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter. Set in 1950s Los Angeles, the noir drama centers on a private investigator dealing with crime and dirty cops in the shadow of glamorous Hollywood. Sutter is writer, executive producer, and showrunner of the project. It marks his first foray into the noir genre and a return to the Los Angeles crime drama arena he got his start in as a staff writer on FX’s The Shield.
NBC is developing Spotless, a one-hour crime drama from We Were Liars writer Noah Rose Keeling and Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies showrunner Annabel Oakes. The drama follows chaotic cool mom Bridget and her awkward-but-brilliant adult daughter Marnie. The pair are expanding their crime scene cleanup business into a private eye side hustle as they navigate their "complex, but ride-or-die relationship."
Apple has cancelled the Jason Clarke-led drama series, The Last Frontier, after one season. Clarke played Frank Remnick, the lone U.S. marshal in charge of the quiet, rugged barrens of Alaska. Remnick’s jurisdiction is turned upside down when a prison transport plane crashes in the remote wilderness, setting free dozens of violent inmates. Tasked with protecting the town he’s vowed to keep safe, he begins to suspect the crash wasn’t an accident but rather the first step of a well-crafted plan with far-reaching and devastating implications. Dominic Cooper, Haley Bennett, Simone Kessell, Dallas Goldtooth and Alfre Woodard also starred, with recurring spots for stars including John Slattery and Johnny Knoxville.
PODCASTS/RADIO/AUDIO
Nicola Upson sat down with The Writing Life podcast's Caitlin Evans to discuss The Christmas Clue, and how she tackled balancing festive cheer with page-turning twists and deceptive characters.
Barbara Peters was in conversation with Ryan Pote (Blood and Treasure) and Steve Urszeny (Blood Oath) on the Poisoned Pen podcast.
On Crime Time FM, Joel Nedecky chatted with Paul Burke about his new noir novel, The Broken Detective; Jake Joelsen; Winnipeg; noir spirit; teaching; social critique, and family.
In the latest episode of Meet the Thriller Author, Alan Petersen sat down with Myles Dungan, an Irish historian, broadcaster, and novelist whose career spans radio, television, academia, and now historical thriller fiction.
Cops and Writers host Patrick O’Donnell spoke with retired NYPD Detective, Vic Ferrari, who moved up to the organized crime unit. Vic is now an author with nine books published, the most recent NYPD: Behind The Blue Wall Of Silence, and host of his very popular podcast, NYPD Through The Looking Glass.
The latest guest on Authors on the Air was Paula Munier (author of the Mercy Carr Mysteries), discussing her book, The Snow Lies Deep. When Northshire’s mayor—dressed as Santa—turns up murdered after the town’s Solstice celebration, Mercy Carr, Troy Warner, and their K-9 partners, Elvis and Susie Bear, must hunt down the Yuletide Killer before another prominent citizen is targeted.
On Wrong Place, Write Crime, Frank Zafiro chatted with author Tom Goodman, who shared the true (and fictionalized) story behind his novel, Last Man Standing, a Spur Award winner, which tells the story of a bank robber who dressed up as Santa Claus.
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