After receiving Screen Australia’s Enterprise funding, Magpie Pictures revealed its next stage of growth, optionalizing Emma Gray’s 2024 novel photo as part of a trio of a new script series in development, bringing producers Quan Phung and Fiona Eagger as advisors.
Grey’s second novel, published last November, follows forensic linguist Evie Hudson with her final love notes of 2023. Evie Hudson can’t remember him or the past 13 years after the car accident that killed her husband. As she piece together pieces of her life, Evie has to stand up to what she has lost and find out what she still has to fight.
The book was added to the USA Today bestseller list and also featured in the New York Times Book Review, and became the People Magazine Best Book in November 2024.
Magpie Pictures founder and producer Lois Randall will produce adaptations for the series with Matt Kelly.
Gray said he was happy to work with the company on the project.
“From the beginning, magpie photography shared my vision of capturing the light and shade of this story, and my desire to translate the powerful contemporary message of the novel for a fresh audience,” she said.
The development slate includes Hummingbird, previously from Lâle Teoman.
The 90s set, the screenplay for the Australian Writers Guild’s 2023 Monte Miller Award finalist, follows Shirin, a 15-year-old girl, and becomes the sole witness to a creepy manslaughter charge, including her mysterious neighbor, Mickey.
Lare Theme. (Image: SallyFlegg)
Magpie Pipey Pictures, an 8 x 1 hour series written by Jura Sandler, based on Catherine Kovasic, an 8 x 1 hour series written by Kasami Sandler, delves into the mystery even further.
Set in the world of cutthroat commercial art in the city centre, the story follows Alex Clayton, the star curator of top galleries in the country. Alex Clayton is the main suspect in a valuable masterpiece and murderous robbery, and tries to clear her name.
Randall said your dark horse and hummingbird, along with your photos, is focused on “impact stories from Australian female creators who attract and entertain Australian and international audiences.”
“Juura Sandler created a series based on the world of Alex Clayton’s iconic character and Katherine Kovasic’s addictive novels. It blends comedy and heartfelt with something mysterious and thrilling in a engaging and sexy Melbourne art scene,” she said.
Of the new advisor appointments, Phung is an independent producer and consultant based in LA, developing the slate for the global project through the Miquan Productions banner. His industry experience includes stint as Senior Vice President of Topic Studio’s Original Series and stint as Senior Vice President of Creative Affairs at 20th Century Fox TV.
Eager is known for establishing all cloud productions with DebCox and co-creating and producing three seasons of Miss Fisher’s murder mystery sold to over 170 territories.
The appointment of the advisor comes after he welcomed consulting business executives and Claire Lindsay and Lee Evans as consulting business executives in the role of shared development producer last August.
“It was an ‘honor’ to be able to work with Phung and Eagger, who brought the company extraordinary experience and market insights.'” Randall said.
