‘I could see it as I wrote it’
Helen C. Escott's answers 20 questions following the announcement of her book series being optioned for TV
“It’s going to be a fabulous show about the inside of policing.” Helen C. Escott
Before Helen C. Escott published her first novel of a five-book series in 2018, she said she knew that someday it would become a TV show.
She added that in 2014, before she started writing the book, she knew.
“I could always see the show, I knew what my characters looked like, what the rooms looked like and how the shots would look,” said Escott.
“I could see it as I wrote it; In a sense, I was also writing the show.”
On May 10, Escott's publishers, Flanker Press, announced her five-book "Operation" series, has been optioned by Mary Sexton's Rink Rat Productions for both film and television.
Escott said it was after a chance Facebook message, that Sexton optioned the series.
“Mary (Sexton) posted on Facebook in February that she was in Germany for a film festival; since we were friends, I sent her a message saying ‘Good luck over there and someday I hope you'll turn my books into a show’,” said Escott. “She messaged me right away and said, ‘Are they optioned?’ And I said ‘No,’ and she said, ‘When I get back, let's get together.’ and that was that.”
Escott said she always knew, if it was to be picked up, that it would be by a female producer.
She added she is excited to have Sexton on board and even more excited the show/ film will be shot in NL.
“That was one of the conditions they had to be filmed here,” said Escott.
She added the show will not be funny, it will be crime-driven and dark.
Currently, Escott said, Sexton is working on the business case to pitch the show to networks and streaming services.
Escott's novels are set in Newfoundland and follows Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, Nicolas Myra and RCMP Corporal, Gail Mcnaughton.
Each novel also follows a different investigation while bringing in historical, and societal issues and unique challenges officers face in the province.
“Wormwood and The Reckoning are duloagy and they're about a disease that kills pedophiles and inspector Myra starts to realize, because there are an awful lot of suspicious deaths, there's a serial killer who was targeting pedophiles,” said Escott.
“‘Operation Vanished,’ we go to Corporal Mcnaughton, from the RCMP. I wanted this to introduce a female officer, who other female police officers would read and go ‘This is perfect,’ and that’s where she came from.”
The inspiration behind Escott's novels comes from a 17-year-long career with RCMP. Escott grew from media relations to senior communication strategist.
During her years with the RCMP, Escott developed PTSD, which she channels into her writing, particularly in her books through the character Myra.
“Myra has PTSD and his PTSD is mine. That's where it comes from and that's where the books came from,” said Escott.
While there is no release date set for when the "Operation" series will hit screens, Escott said she has faith the show will be picked up.