'A Series of Unfortunate Events': The dour series is coming to Netflix
The misadventures of the Baudelaire children are coming to Netflix.听
According to , Netflix has acquired the rights to the children鈥檚 book series 鈥淎 Series of Unfortunate Events鈥� by Lemony Snicket and the show is being "fast-tracked." 鈥淪eries,鈥� which follows three orphans and their attempts to escape the clutches of their evil relative Count Olaf as they are passed from guardian to guardian, was previously adapted as a film in 2004. It starred Jim Carrey, Meryl Streep, and Billy Connolly.
Some of Netflix鈥檚 original series, such as 鈥�House of Cards鈥� and 鈥淥range Is the New Black,鈥� have been critically acclaimed and been popular for the streaming service.
鈥淪eries鈥� consists of thirteen books, the last of which was published in 2006.
鈥淥n the search for fantastic material that appeals to both parents and kids, the first stop for generations of readers is聽A Series Of Unfortunate Events,鈥� Cindy Holland, vice-president of original content at Netflix, said in a . 鈥淭he world created by Lemony Snicket is unique, darkly funny and relatable. We can鈥檛 wait to bring it to life for Netflix members.鈥�
Author Snicket also contributed his thoughts from 鈥渁n undisclosed location,鈥� according to his own . (Snicket is the pen name of author Daniel Handler. In 鈥淪eries,鈥� Snicket himself is involved in the plot and often states that he is on the run from the authorities.)
鈥淚 can鈥檛 believe it,鈥� Snicket said. 鈥淎fter years of providing top-quality entertainment on demand, Netflix is risking its reputation and its success by associating itself with my dismaying and upsetting books.鈥� (Netflix noted, 鈥淢r. Snicket鈥檚 participation will be limited, given his emotional distress, but the project has the full involvement of his legal, literary and social representative Daniel Handler, who is often mistaken for him.鈥�)聽
As former Monitor Books editor Ron Charles noted in a review of the series, 鈥渢here's no better source of dark, ironic comedy for young readers,鈥� so the new TV series will certainly be one on which to keep an eye.
