David E. Kelley (Big Little Lies) and Melissa James Gibson (House of Cards) will collaborate to create an anthology series for Netflix based on the bestselling novel by Sarah Vaughan, “Anatomy of a Scandal,” via Deadline. The series will be directed by S. J. Clarkson (Jessica Jones).
Vaughan’s novel, under the same name as the series and published in 2017, is based on a charismatic and successful Westminster politician whose life begins to unravel when he is accused of rape. While his wife is convinced he is innocent, the prosecutor thinks otherwise. According to Deadline, Vaughan’s novel focuses on the scandals committed by the British elite and how women are impacted by them.
As an anthology series, each episode will feature different characters and storylines but will follow the same themes of power and secrecy throughout. Anthology series have gained recent popularity with the release of American Horror Story (FX), Black Mirror (Netflix), and American Crime (ABC).
Along with writing, Kelley and Gibson will executive produce Anatomy of Scandal alongside Clarkson, Liza Chasin (Nanny McPhee), Steve Hutensky (Wake Up), and Allie Goss (Daredevil). Vaughan and Margaret Chernin (The Goldfinch) will co-produce.
While it was meant to begin production this year, Anatomy of a Scandal cannot begin filming due to the coronavirus pandemic. When filming begins, it will be made in the UK.