Sue Grafton’s novels headed to TV
A TV adaptation of the late Sue Grafton’s million-selling Kinsey Millhone mystery novels, a prospect the author once swore she would return from the dead to prevent, is now in the works.
A+E Studios recently announced that it had acquired rights to Grafton’s alphabet series, with such titles as “A Is for Alibi” and “E Is for Evidence.” Grafton completed 25 Millhone books, through “Y Is for Yesterday,” but died in 2017 before she could write a story for Z.
“We are honored to carry on (Grafton’s) legacy and bring these timeless stories to life,” Barry Jossen, president and head of A+E Studios, said in a statement. “We are actively speaking with interested platforms and seeking a showrunner for the series, as well as the perfect actress to embody the coveted lead role of Kinsey Millhone.”
Grafton’s many fans might remember a vow she made in 1997, recalling her unhappy experiences writing for television movies before she caught on as a novelist.
“I will never sell
(Kinsey) to Hollywood. And, I have made my children promise not to sell her. We’ve taken a blood oath, and if they do so, I will come back from the grave,” she told January Magazine.
The author’s husband and executive producer of the series, Steve Humphrey, says he and the family have agreed that the times — and the medium — have changed.
“Television has greatly evolved since Sue was writing in Hollywood in the 1980s. From her experience then, she was concerned that her stories and characters would be diminished when they were adapted. But as the
power of television has transformed over time, so too has the quality from writing and acting to the production values and viewing experience,” Humphrey said in a statement.
“Together her children and I believe Sue would bless this decision and would be delighted to see her cherished Alphabet murder series live on and reach millions of new and existing fans around the world.”
‘CMT’ program pairs artists:
“CMT Artists of the Year” will include some interdisciplinary duets among its lineup — with honoree Kelsea Ballerini being joined by the Jonas Brothers, and Yola teaming up with Mickey Guyton, among other collaborations.
Some of the artists being feted on the broadcast will perform on their own, including Luke
Combs, Gabby Barrett and Kane Brown. Others, like Guyton and Ballerini, will take part in pairings. But Chris Stapleton will presumably sit back while he’s serenaded by Boyz II Men and Pentatonix’s Kevin Olusola, who are set to collaborate in tribute to Stapleton.
Even though its singer isn’t one of the night’s designated honorees, “Fancy Like” by Walker Hayes will also get its first live awards-show look on “CMT Artists of the Year,” which airs Wednesday.
Oct. 11 birthdays: Singer Daryl Hall is 75. MTV VJ Mark Goodman is 71. Actor Joan Cusack is 59. Actor Lennie James is 56. Actor Jane Krakowski is 53.
Actor Constance Zimmer is 51. Rapper MC Lyte is 51. Actor Emily Deschanel is 45. Actor Trevor Donovan is 43. Actor Michelle Trachtenberg is 36. Rapper Cardi B is 29.