JK Rowling's 'The Casual Vacancy' To Be Adapted For A BBC One Drama
Can Rowling Bring Some More Screen Magic?
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JK Rowling's first novel for adults, 'The Casual Vacancy', is being adapted into a BBC One drama.
Published in September, the novel opens with the death of a parish councillor and is based around a local council election.
The best-selling author's first full-length book in five years, it is set in Pagford, a town which appears to be an English idyll but is at war with itself.
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JK Rowling with a copy of 'The Casual Vacancy'
JK's Harry Potter novels were adapted into blockbuster Hollywood films which launched the careers of Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson as well as attracting the cream of British acting talent.
She said of the new drama: "I'm thrilled that the BBC has commissioned 'The Casual Vacancy'. I always felt that, if it were to be adapted, this novel was best suited to television and I think the BBC is the perfect home."
The drama is expected to air in 2014.
BBC One controller Danny Cohen said: "It is thrilling to be bringing the work of JK Rowling to BBC One audiences. JK Rowling's story-telling is, of course, peerless in its popularity and I am looking forward to collaborating with her.
"This project highlights the ambition and scale of BBC One drama, as well as the ability of modern television to attract the world's biggest talent and most exciting creative ideas."
The number and length of episodes for the drama are still to be decided.
The book was published to mixed reviews, with the Daily Mirror describing it as "a complete joy to read" and an "entertaining evocation of British society today", but the Daily Mail's Jan Moir dubbing it a "relentless socialist manifesto masquerading as literature".
Paul Giamatti could play the beloved, kind-hearted, elusive Barry, who serves as an unknowing catalyst for a small town's disaster. (credit:Getty)
Krystal Weedon(02 of15)
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Shailene Woodley was excellent as the troubled daughter in "The Descendants," so she could be perfect for Krystal Weedon, a complex character who represents the tragedies and optimism of The Fields. (credit:Getty)
Terri Weedon(03 of15)
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Melissa Leo's amazing performance in "The Fighter" showed that she's the perfect actress to play the tragically drug-addicted Terri. (credit:Getty)
Howard Mollison(04 of15)
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John Goodman could play the almost comically maniacal deli owner and city council chairperson. (credit:Getty)
Miles Mollison(05 of15)
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Aaron Eckhart could play Howard's son, the prim owner of a law firm. (credit:Getty)
Samantha Mollison(06 of15)
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Nicole Kidman could play Samantha, a disgruntled bra shop salesgirl who is bored by her priggish husband. (credit:AP)
Colin Wall(07 of15)
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Thomas Haden Church, who stars in "Sideways," plays a villain in "Spiderman 3," and plays a friendly teacher in "Easy A," could play the secretly OCD vice principle, Colin. (credit:Wikimedia)
Tessa Wall(08 of15)
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The loopy, loving "Desperate Housewives" star Teri Hatcher could play the high school guidance counselor, Tessa. (credit:Getty)
Stuart "Fats" Wall(09 of15)
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One of the more complex characters, "Fats" is a bullying Nietzsche-lover who redeems his mistakes in a bold way. Paul Dano's roles in "Little Miss Sunshine" and "There Will Be Blood" prove he could handle the part. (credit:Getty)
Andrew Price(10 of15)
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Josh Hutcherson (Peeta from "The Hunger Games") could play the often meek and romantic Andrew, who befriends "Fats," loathes his father and is hopelessly in love with Gaia. (credit:Wikimedia)
Simon Price(11 of15)
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Andrew's corrupt father who bullies his kids could be played by Jason Bateman, who showed his darker side in "Juno." (credit:Getty)
Kay Bawden(12 of15)
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Noomi Rapace, the star of "Prometheus" and the Swedish version of "Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" could play the case worker who is perceived as an outsider for her idealistic views. (credit:AP)
Gaia Bawden(13 of15)
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Vanessa Hudgens could play Kay's daughter, and the object of Andrew Price's lust. (credit:AP)
Parminder Jawanda(14 of15)
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Hugely famous Bollywood actress Kajol could play the town's scrupulous doctor, Parminder. (credit:Wikimedia)
Sukhvinder Jawanda(15 of15)
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Disney star Nicole Gale Anderson could play Parminder's bullied teen daughter. (credit:Getty)