HBO is developing a new limited series based on Dark Places, the bestselling 2009 novel written by Gone Girl and Sharp Objects author Gillian Flynn. All three of Flynn’s popular mystery novels have received onscreen adaptations: the 2014 Gone Girl film starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike, the 2015 Dark Places film starring Charlize Theron, and the 2018 HBO limited series adaptation of Sharp Objects starring Amy Adams. While the Gone Girl and Sharp Objects adaptations received mostly positive reviews, the Dark Places film was critically panned.
According to Variety, Dark Places is now being developed as an HBO limited series, with Flynn, who holds the rights to the novel, serving as co-creator, writer, and co-showrunner. Brett Johnson, who has written numerous episodes of Ray Donovan and Mad Men, is credited as co-showrunner, co-creator, and writer alongside Flynn. Actor and writer Guerrin Garder, who has appeared in episodes of Ray Donovan and Grey’s Anatomy, is also credited as a co-creator and writer.
Why An HBO Limited Series Is Perfect For Dark Places
As evidenced by HBO’s critically acclaimed adaptation of Sharp Objects, which was nominated for eight Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Limited Series, this is the perfect medium to adapt Dark Places. Flynn’s intricate and chilling mystery novels are best suited to an HBO limited series format that gives the narrative room to breathe and gradually build while also being able to explore the mature and often difficult subject matter. This is particularly important for Dark Places, which is arguably the most disturbing and violent of Flynn’s novels.
Dark Places tells the story of Libby Day, the only survivor of a massacre in which her mother and two sisters were brutally murdered. Her testimony led to her teenage brother Ben being convicted as the killer. Twenty-five years later, Libby learns that Ben may be innocent after all as she begins to learn the truth about what happened that night, all while her life is threatened once again. A television series will be able to better balance the story as it alternates between the past and present-day timelines, as both timelines culminate in equally riveting and shocking conclusions.
Being a limited series ensures that there are enough episodes to faithfully adapt the source material without there being any temptation to needlessly continue the story, regardless of how well-received the series may be. Just as Sharp Objects starred Adams, HBO can hopefully bring in equally exciting and fitting talent to lead Dark Places‘ cast as well. With Flynn at the forefront of the series’ development, it should be a stronger adaptation than the 2015 film, and could become one of HBO‘s most exciting series if the project is greenlit.
