Sundance Drama 'A Teacher' Getting HBO Series Adaptation From The Duplass Brothers
Hannah Fidell's A Teacher didn't get quite the acclaim or attention that Fruitvale Station or The Spectacular Now rdid at last year's Sundance Film Festival, but it got some buzz nonetheless thanks to its scandalous premise, fine performances, and pared-down style. Now, it's also getting a TV show.Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass, and Michael Costigan are set to executive produce an HBO drama based on Fidell's film, with Fidell herself on board to write, executive produce, and possibly direct the pilot. Shameless (U.K.) showrunner Daniel Brocklehurst will also write and executive produce. Get more details on the series after the jump.
Detractors complained that the film felt thin, thanks to its narrow focus. But a TV drama would presumably have more room to explore the themes and details that were underserved or unmentioned in the original, such as the protagonist's relationship with her family or the origins of the affair. No stars are attached to the small-screen project at this time.
Deadline reports that Costigan was the one who got the ball rolling on the TV adaptation, after catching Fidell's film at Sundance. He teamed with Fidell and Brocklehurst first, then brought Jay and Mark Duplass into the fold. The brothers had first worked with Costigan on 2010's Cyrus.
The Duplasses already have a relationship with HBO. The network picked up their comedy pilot Togetherness last year, and the series is set to enter production next month. A Teacher will be the first TV series from Costigan, who has also produced Stoker, The East, and Out of the Furnace.