Makeup Stories producer Bruna Papandrea will reunite with The Last Anniversary director John Polson and The Long Throw Exhale screenwriter Pam Vesey to adapt JP Pomare’s 2024 novel 17 Years Later.
This fictional story focuses on the violent massacre of the wealthy Primrose family in the small New Zealand town of Cambridge, with evidence leading to the conviction of young chef Bill Kalema.
Seventeen years later, prison psychologist TK Phillips believes Bill deserves an appeal due to an unfair trial. When true crime podcaster Sloane Abbott joins the investigation and discovers new evidence, the pair become embroiled in a dangerous quest for the truth. As they navigate a complex web of deception, they must decide whether to risk everything to uncover what really happened, or keep the past buried.
Polson will serve as series director and executive producer, while Vesey will serve as writer, showrunner, and executive producer. Papandrea will also executive produce Makeup Stories alongside Steve Hutensky, Casey Haver and Katie Amos.
Pomare was “really excited” to have her novel featured in Makeup Stories.
“I have long admired Bruna Papandrea and am especially excited to have my work done alongside some of my favorite shows and movies,” he said.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have Pam Vesey on board given her significant contributions to the industry over three decades. We look forward to seeing how the project evolves and are grateful to everyone who believed in this story from the beginning.”
This is the latest in a series of book-to-film adaptations being produced by Makeup Stories, which has also produced series versions of Emily Perkins’ The Lioness, Liane Moriarty’s Here One Moment, Zoe Foster Blake’s Things Will Calm Down Soon, and Sally Hepworth’s Darling Girls and Soulmates.
In a statement, the company called Pomare “one of the extraordinary writers who can create beautiful, complex characters and distill them into breathtaking, suspenseful crime thrillers.”
“We read so many mysteries, but it’s so rare and thrilling to come across one that leaves you guessing until the end and takes your breath away.”
“And to be teaming up again with Pam Vesey and John Polson is a dream come true. We are so excited about their vision for the American show and can’t wait for this team to bring ’17 Years Later’ to life.”
