Buccaneer to adapt C.J. Tudor’s debut novel "The Chalk Man"

Buccaneer announced plans to adapt Sunday Times bestselling author C.J. Tudor’s debut novel "The Chalk Man," “We’re naturally delighted to be developing another of C.J.Tudor’s gripping novels, particularly as ‘The Chalk Man’ is her celebrated debut work," Richard Tulk-Hart, joint CEO of Buccaneer said. "We’re excited to be once again marrying C.J.’s compelling storytelling with Hans Rosenfeldt’s world class screenwriting to create another premium screen thriller for audiences around the world."

Hans Rosenfeldt joins the project as screenwriter. It is his second time adapting a C.J. Tudor novel, following "The Burning Girls" for Paramount+, currently being produced by Buccaneer starring Samantha Morton and Ruby Stokes. C.J. Tudor first established her talent for storytelling with ‘The Chalk Man’ (winner of the Barry, Strand Magazine, and ITW Thriller Awards for Best First Novel) and her debut novel is the third that Buccaneer is producing as a premium drama series following ‘The Burning Girls’ and post-apocalyptic thriller ‘The Drift’. C.J. Tudor is represented by Madeleine Milburn at the Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV & Film Agency. TV rights were acquired by Buccaneer from Hannah Ladds at Madeleine Milburn. 

Set in an English town, the title follows Eddie “Munster” Adams and his four friends, at the cusp of becoming teenagers, as they spend their summer holidays playing on their bikes, having fun and in search of excitement and adventure. When a new teacher, nicknamed The Chalk Man by the school kids, gives Eddie the idea of using an unwanted birthday gift of a tub of chalk as a way for his friends to leave each other messages around town in their own secret code. It's fun and games until the chalk drawings begin leading them straight to a dismembered body hidden in the woods.

Deemed a Daily Telegraph Book of the Year, "The Chalk Man" discusses various topics, including bullying, poverty, violence and hypocrisy. The novel features characters with a need to preserve secrets and reputation and alternates between the time in 1986 when Ed was 12 years old to the present day where he is single, has few friends and is borderline alcoholic. "’The Chalk Man’ was the book that started it all for me, so it has a special place in my heart. I couldn’t ask for a better team than Buccaneer and the brilliant Hans Rosenfeldt to adapt it for screen. I know they’ll produce something amazing” C.J Tudor said. "Hans Rosenfeldt said "I love C.J. Tudor's books and I'm so glad that I get the opportunity to adapt another one of them. I'm really looking forward to bringing The Chalk Man's exciting twisty plot and interesting characters to the screen together with the great people at Buccaneer”.