HBO is developing I Know This Much Is True, an eight-episode limited drama series based on Wally Lamb's 1998 novel (an Oprah's Book Club Pick) that will star Mark Ruffalo (The Avengers), Deadline reported. Written and directed by filmmaker Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine), the project is described as "an epic family saga that explores the American identity following the parallel lives of twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey throughout the latter half of the 20th century." Ruffalo will play both brothers.
Lamb and Ruffalo, who have been collaborating on a TV adaptation of the book for the past two years, will executive produce with Cianfrance as well as Ben Browning & Glen Basner of indie film company FilmNation (The Big Sick).
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Bron Studios' TV group has acquired rights to Danish author Sara Blaedel's crime fiction book series featuring police detective Louise Rick. Deadline reported that "the plan is to adapt the novels as a TV series, with the first published Rick book The Forgotten Girls to serve as the backdrop for Season 1." Bron's Aaron L. Gilbert and Danielle Reardon will serve as executive producers.
"It has been a longtime dream to see Louise Rick on the screen, and I couldn't imagine working with a more dynamic and creative team than Bron to realize this," Blaedel said. "Louise is a tenacious and relentless investigator, but also deeply human and imperfect. Simultaneously tough and charming, watching her stories come alive on the screen will be enthralling."
Reardon commented: "The Forgotten Girls is a spellbinding beginning to the suspenseful and addictive Louise Rick book series. We are thrilled to be working with Sara Blaedel to bring the character Louise Rick and her brilliantly brutal murder mysteries to television."