Entertainment
SJP Wants To Make 'The Fever' An MTV Show
Sarah Jessica Parker is an outwardly proud book lover — whether she's hiding behind a great book during a Rangers hockey game or rocking a book-turned-accessory for TV appearances. Plus, these books were Maggie Shipstead's Astonish Me and Eimear McBride’s A Girl Is a Half-Formed Thing, so we know the woman's got taste.
So, it's no surprise that SJP's production company Pretty Matches Productions is getting into the book adaptation game. Parker bought the rights to Megan Abbott's 'The Fever' for an MTV show. Abbott herself is also on board writing, at least, the pilot episode. Producer Karen Rosenfelt rounds out the team with her extensive book adaptation background, having worked on The Devil Wears Prada, Marley & Me, 2016's upcoming Me Before You, and fellow young adult novels-turned-movies The Book Thief and Twilight.
SJP and Pretty Matches Productions spoke out about her excitement to be working with Abbott on her eerie YA novel The Fever in a statement with EW:
We are thrilled to be working with Megan Abbott, one of the most exciting voices working in literature today. A master of suspense, Megan’s drama is a searing portrait of the female adolescent psyche that is on haunting display in her gripping novel, The Fever.
I totally agree, SJP. The Fever is totally unsettling throughout, the kind of book you should probably read with the lights on, and it all builds up to a twist that I assure you will capture all of your attention. Still, there's so much to work with in the story's brilliant pacing to serialize it into a truly creepy TV show.
The Fever by Megan Abbott, $8, Amazon
All I even have to say it's the story centers in an idyllic suburban community, and you already know things are going to go bad. (You've seen movies.) Then one day Deenie Nash's ordinary life is rocked when her best friend Lise has a seizure in class and other BFF Gabby collapses during a recital. The "contagion" is only affecting young women, and it sends them into a sort of hysteria that baffles the small town. And yes, you should be hearing echoes of The Crucible here. In this confusion and fear, Abbott presents a portrait of the social and emotional lives of high school girls when approaching a semi-adult life — all things are met with some fear, especially when it comes to relationships and sex.
Abbotts other novel Dare Me has been lingering "in production" since 2013, with big name Natalie Portman rumored to be attached to the project. Rosenfelt is also listed as the producer here.
Your dream MTV casting for Deenie, her family and her BFFs begins now.
