Marlene King Adapted Novel Thornbird for Hulu
The creator behind hit television dramas is developing a new series based on Elle Kennedy's bestselling book.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Television
Writer and executive producer Marlene King has begun developing a new television series for Hulu based on the novel Thornbird. The project is currently in the works through 20th Television.
Why it matters
The adaptation brings a popular New York Times bestselling novel to a major streaming platform. It signals continued interest in bringing established literary titles to television audiences.
The original source material, published on June 30, 2026, earned New York Times bestseller status. The narrative features a main character who is 17 years old and centers on events occurring 10 years after a father was caught.
The players
Marlene King
Marlene King is a prominent television writer and producer known for her work on long-running drama series.
Elle Kennedy
Elle Kennedy is an author who wrote the New York Times bestselling novel Thornbird.
Hulu
Hulu is a major subscription-based streaming service that produces and distributes original television content.
20th Television
20th Television is a production studio that develops and produces scripted programming for broadcast and streaming.
Lauren Wagner
Lauren Wagner is an executive producer attached to the television adaptation project.
The details
Marlene King is set to write and executive produce the upcoming show, which is being produced via 20th Television. Additional executive producers attached to the project include Lauren Wagner and author Elle Kennedy.
Timeline
The novel Thornbird was published on June 30, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The adaptation follows the established industry trend of mining successful literary properties to anchor content libraries for major streaming platforms. This project positions the network to compete by leveraging the existing fan bases of popular novels.
Viewers can expect this series to be available exclusively through the Hulu streaming service once production is complete. The development status suggests that subscribers should monitor future announcements regarding casting and premiere windows.
The takeaway
The move underscores the high demand for proven intellectual property in the competitive landscape of modern streaming. Fans of the original book can anticipate a series that adapts the story of the 17-year-old protagonist in the setting of Starling, Tennessee.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest series in development on the Television section.
