There’s nothing hotter in the world of TV right now than adaptations of popular books, especially those that cater to younger audiences.
The BBC is hoping some of the buzz created by the recent success of shows like The Summer I Turned Pretty and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder will lead viewers to its newest offering, Crookhaven, which is adapted from the book series by JJ Arcanjo.
The show is set in a school that provides anything but traditional lessons – teaching young criminals from around the world to use their skills for good.
It features a host of up-and-coming young actors, who have appeared in shows such as Adolescence, Heartstopper and The Witcher.
Crookhaven is a TV show adapted from a book series of the same name by author JJ Arcanjo about a school for thieves [BBC]
For 23-year-old Lucas Leach, who plays pickpocket Gabriel, returning to school to film Crookhaven was a cathartic experience.
“I was bullied at school, I had very difficult times when I’d come back home and didn’t want to go school because I didn’t feel like it was the place for me,” the actor tells the BBC.
But Leach finally got to enjoy putting on a school uniform as part of filming. “I wish I could have gone to a school where I could see who I was, because you hardly even know yourself at that age. To be allowed the space to discover yourself,” he adds.
His co-lead, 21-year-old Carmel Laniado, who plays Gabriel’s arch-rival Penelope, says it was “incredible to watch and experience” the work of a cast who were chosen from across the UK and Europe to reflect Crookhaven being an international school.
“What’s so nice is that, despite all their differences, [the characters] are able to connect and find their chosen family because they all come from different backgrounds and not necessarily ones they’re happy with or feel like they identity with,” Laniado tells the BBC.
It’s common for successful TV adaptations to spike an interest in the original source material, with Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton books and David Nicholls’ One Day novel just two examples of stories that have re-entered bestseller lists.
Laniado says there are many benefits to appearing in a show that is based on a book series – mostly because it helps the actors’ “world building” ability.
She says it was a “real privilege to be able to use what’s already been created and elevate it”, and that Arcanjo’s writing allowed her to be “sucked into this alternative world you can identify yourself in”.
Leach agrees, adding that he “loved reading the books” and hopes “they go on to have even greater success as a result of the show”.
Carmel Laniado says it was “incredible” to be part of a diverse and international cast [BBC]
But for those adapting books for TV or film, there can often be challenges too, especially if the source material already has a big fanbase.
Writer Justin Young, who has adapted Crookhaven for the screen, tells the BBC his “big project” before this show was Sanditon, which attempted to complete an unfinished Jane Austen novel.
“If you want to meet people who are protective, it’s Jane Austen fans,” Young jokes.
When you start adapting a book for TV, “you have to accept quite early on that they are such different genres”, he says.
“When I first started writing for television, the thing that was so shocking to me was how much story you need for television. It’s unbelievable, it’s like a machine. Every five to 10 minutes you’ve got to give the audience a big surprise, you’ve got to keep developing stories,” he explains.
Young says that while the cast is primarily made up of young actors, “these kids are sophisticated” and the show is aimed at all ages.
“Never throughout the development have I ever thought of writing for kids – we wanted to create something the whole family could watch together,” he adds.
Laniado also hopes that families can sit down together to watch Crookhaven.
“I feel like there are a lot of shows targeted for specific audiences but I feel like this show engages everyone, really – anyone will be able to see themselves in that world,” she says.
Young hopes the audience particularly connects with the show’s young stars, who are all relatively new to acting.
“I’d be watching audition tapes in the kitchen and my kids, who are 10 and 13, would be staring over my shoulder – they were starstruck by these actors.”
He adds: “It’s really important for the health of the industry to keep new blood coming in and I think it’s so exciting and energising for us to work with people who are right at the beginning of their careers and have that excitement, passion and energy.”
Crookhaven begins on BBC One and CBBC on Sunday, 22 March, and the full series will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer from this date.
