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‘Phenomenal’ – SA author Lauren Beukes on her Apple TV series ‘Shining Girls’
Author Lauren Beukes best-selling book 'Shining Girls' has been made into a series set to stream on Apple TV.
South African author Lauren Beukes besting selling novel ‘Shining Girl’s has been made into a series.
South African best selling author Lauren Beukes’ book has received the Hollywood spotlight it deserves in Apple TV’s new metaphysical thriller Shining Girls.
Based on the book of the same name, in which the synopsis follows Kirby Mazrachi played by award-winning actress Elisabeth Moss as a Chicago newspaper archivist whose journalistic ambitions were put on hold after enduring a traumatic assault.
Kirby is informed of a recent incident similar to her own case and wants to unmask the assailant as she partners with seasoned, yet troubled reporter Dan Velazquez (played by Wagner Moura), to hunt down her attacker.
As they realize these cold cases are inextricably linked, the serial killer travels through time targeting a specific group of women described as the shining girls.
The drama also stars Phillipa Soo with Amy Brenneman and Jamie Bell rounding out the ensemble cast.
Beukes says she always knew she would be a writer at the age of five and her awareness of how great she will be helped her throughout her career.
The Citizen spoke to the world-renowned author about this breakthrough series set to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. She says the Shining Girls had a seven-way bidding war back in 2013 to pilot the series.
“But Leonard DiCaprio’s company Appian Way and MRC had a really good version of the project, it was exciting and has been in development since then.”
The process did put them through trial in error such as different directors and actors but when Moss came on board everything started to come together.
When Apple TV gave it the green light, Beukes couldn’t share the good news for eight months.
The author was informed throughout the pre-production during the height of the pandemic as she was sent different scripts and was one of the executive producers.
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The author of several books left Shining Girls in the hands of the creators to do their magic and didn’t mind they diverted in some aspects. The author does mentions they did lose some historical characters from the book which were not shown in the series adding it would have made the series too convoluted.
Currently, it is unclear if the fans of the book will be pleased with what Apple TV has done, Beukes explains reading is such a personal experience and it’s expected a person’s reimagined world will be different.
“I think some people are going to be mad and I think some people are going to be absolutely thrilled. I as the author, am utterly thrilled and think it’s phenomenal.”
Shining Girls will stream worldwide on Friday, April 29 on Apple TV.
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