Joe Hill, the talented son of best-selling author Stephen King, is having a great day, today. This, of course, is thanks in-part to the official announcement that AMC has requested a 10-episode straight-to-series order for his supernatural horror NOS4A2, which is based on Hill's 2013 novel of the same name. According to reports, the forthcoming series will be produced by AMC Studios in association with Michael Eisner’s Tornante Television, with creator Jami O'Brien (FEAR THE WALKING DEAD, HELL ON WHEELS) strapped into the showrunner driver's seat. If all goes according to plan, the series should pull into AMC beginning in 2019.
Here's a synopsis for the series, courtesy of Deadline: NOS4A2 introduces Vic McQueen, a young, working class artist who discovers she has a supernatural ability to track the seemingly immortal Charlie Manx. Manx feeds off the souls of children, then deposits what remains of them into Christmasland – a twisted Christmas Village of Manx’s imagination where every day is Christmas day and unhappiness is against the law. Vic must strive to defeat Manx and rescue his victims – without losing her mind or falling victim to him herself.
At the time that the show order was unveiled, David Madden, president of original programming for AMC, SundanceTV and AMC Studios, released a statement about the new program. “NOS4A2 continues in AMC’s rich tradition of immersive dramas that combine otherworldly stories with relatable relationships and big emotional themes, Jami O’Brien and the writing team have vibrantly brought Joe Hill’s incredible story to life for the small screen and we are pleased to be making this diabolically unique new show under the AMC Studios shingle, in association with Tornante.”
Echoing Madden's excitement was NOS4A2, HORNS, LOCKE & KEY, and THE FIREMAN best-selling author Joe Hill, who said “I couldn’t be more excited about the forthcoming adaptation of NOS4A2. I know it’s in good hands with showrunner Jami O’Brien: her beautifully composed scripts show a writer at the height of her powers, one who has an exquisite touch with character and a relentless instinct for suspense,” Hill remarked. “AMC’s record speaks for itself: who wouldn’t want to be in business with the ‘Mad Men’ who ‘Broke Bad’ and made ‘The Dead Walk?’ And Tornante’s dedication to bringing singular visions to TV has freed everyone involved to do their best and truest work. I can’t wait to see Vic McQueen turn the throttle and go after Charlie Manx in 2019. Let’s ride.”
Let's ride indeed! While I confess to only having read a portion of the novel (I got distracted and had moved on to something else), I do have enough experience with Hill's work to know that NOS4A2 is bound to be something worth checking out. Hill has a real knack for horror, just like his father, King, and I'm excited to see his work arrive on a platform where it can be seen by even more people. Here's hoping that Hill and OBrien can create something truly terrifying with the bizarre and spooky story of Vic McQueen and Charlie Manx.