Robin Stevens’ YA book series Murder Most Unladylike is being adapted for television by StudioCanal Television (specifically through StudioCanal Stories), Strong Film + Television and Unladylike Productions. The TV series will be written by Anna McCleery; James Strong will be the show’s primary director.
StudioCanal Stories, created in 2024 and led by Sarah Reese Geffroy, adapts literary works for TV and film. StudioCanal invested in James Strong’s Strong Film + Television in 2023. Unladylike Productions is a new banner formed by Stevens; this is its first piece of development.
The Murder Most Unladylike TV series will consist of six 45-minute episodes. The popular book series was originally published by Puffin (an imprint of Penguin Random House Children’s) in the U.K. and by Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers in the U.S. There are a dozen books in the main series as well as a three-book spin off series — counting all of them, the books have sold more than three million copies worldwide.
“We are delighted to be working with the exceptionally talented Robin Stevens, Anna McCleery and the Strong Film + Television team to bring Murder Most Unladylike to life. The books are a rare and exciting blend of twisty Agatha Christie-style whodunnits, female empowerment, and glossy aspirational settings; all centred around a rich and loveable depiction of female friendship,” M-K Kennedy, Managing Director of StudioCanal Television, said in a statement. “The lead characters Daisy and Hazel are a duo worthy of Watson & Holmes stature, beloved by millions of fans across the world for their independence, curiosity and wicked sense of humour. The strength of the IP, coupled with the vision of Anna McCleery will ensure this is going to be family co-viewing at its best and testament to our continued ambition to bring bold literary adaptations to television audiences worldwide and with phenomenal franchise opportunity.”
“It has always been my dream to bring Hazel and Daisy and their world to life on screen, and I can’t think of better partners to make that dream a reality,” Stevens said. “Strong Film & TV have an incredible crime pedigree, and StudioCanal are the caretakers of beloved family IP like Paddington and Miffy. I am so proud to be working with them, and with award-winning writer Anna McCleery — there is so much personal passion within the team, and I know that together we are going to create a version of Murder Most Unladylike that will both delight fans and introduce my stories to a huge new audience. It’s an adventure as exciting as anything in my books!”
“I could not love these books more; they are clever, thrilling and bursting with humour and heart,” McCleery said. “Hazel and Daisy are a totally unique teen girl detective duo and working with Robin, Strong and the team at StudioCanal to bring them to TV life has been an absolute honour. Bunbreaks forever! “
