FremantleMedia is teaming with the U.K.'s Corona Pictures for, Birds of Prey, a drama/adventure series project based on three of Wilbur Smith's novels. Deadline.com reported that J.J. Connolly (Layer Cake) will write the adaptation of the first three novels in Smith's Courtney Family Adventures: Birds of Prey, Monsoon and Blue Horizon. An initial 13-episode season is planned and the partners have begun discussions with U.K., U.S. and European broadcasters.
Connolly called Smith's stories "big and expansive--his themes are universal and timeless." Smith said Connolly is "an inspired choice" to help "satisfy my fans who have been clamoring to see the Courtney saga dramatized for many years."