It was recently announced by The Hollywood Reporter that Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange, The Imitation Game) will star in a new TV adaptation of How to Stop Time. It was also reported that Tomas Alfredson (Let the Right One in, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) will direct the six-part series and StudioCanal along with Cumberbatch’s Sunnymarch will produce it.
This new series will be based off of author Matt Haig’s (The Humans, Tales of Connection) best-selling novel titled How to Stop Time. The premise of the story revolves around Tom Hazard who is played by Cumerbatch. According to The Hollywood Reporter, this spy thriller/love story follows Hazard who suffers from Anageria, a condition which supposedly ages someone significantly slower than everyone else. He is part of a society of other individuals like him so he doesn’t get persecuted by normal people, but he might break a rule that might threaten his safety, which is to never fall in love, especially for normal humans.
It is currently known that Alfredson is brought on as a director for the series. The French based studio StudioCanal is behind the project’s development and production. This series has been in development for a long time and was planned as a feature film when it was first drafted. Cumberbatch’s company Sunnymarch will also collaborate with StuidoCanal to develop the series.
As of now, that is all that has been released besides the fact that they plan to shoot this in London and Europe next year. Much of this news was released during the MIPTV International Television Conference this Monday by StudioCanal’s CEO, Anna Marsh (Cat Person, Calls).
Coming from The Hollywood Reporter, Cumberbatch had mentioned, “When I first read How to Stop Time, the potential of this story was immediately obvious…In his inimitable style, Matt once again explores what it is to be human and what it is to live a life — a very long one in this case — with pathos, insight, humor, drama and inspiration. I am so thrilled to be reuniting with Tomas Alfredson who is the perfect person to capture the scale, tension, and sense of humor alive in DC Moore’s adaptation.”
Before this current project, Alfredson previously worked with Cumberbatch on the film Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011). Alfredson had also worked on hits such as Fyra nyanser av brunt (2004) and Let the Right One In (2008).
From that same article, Haig also chimes into the mix saying, “Benedict Cumberbatch is the dream person to play Tom Hazard and was always who I pictured in my mind. And Tomas Alfredson is the ideal director for this story. The whole team is incredible, and it is so great to feel a story is in the best possible hands.”
During the announcement, Marsh introduced the project and stated that, “We are delighted to be reuniting with our friends and long-term collaborators [on] this hugely exciting and ambitious new series…We can’t get wait to get started.” via. The Hollywood Reporter.
More would be reported on as the year goes on and announcements would be made. There are currently no reported cast besides Cumberbatch. The studio is also working on other adaptations of Haig’s other hit novel, 2020’s The Midnight Library.