Juno Dawson’s ‘Meat Market’ in Line for TV Adaptation
Unstoppable Film & Television has landed the rights to “Meat Market,” the upcoming novel by Juno Dawson, the author of several young adult books with LGBT themes.
Noel Clarke and Jason Maza’s burgeoning shingle will work up the book as a TV series. The production company has a deal with All3Media and is developing “Meat Market” as part of that. For the first time, Dawson will adapt her own work for TV.
Set in the world of modelling, the book follows Jana Novak, a 16-year-old girl of Serbian descent, as she is catapulted from her South London public housing estate to international stardom. Dawson (pictured, centre, with Maza and Clarke) spent two years researching the fashion business for the novel.
“The fashion industry can be a scary place and it feels timely to explore the ugly side of something that’s outwardly beautiful,” said Dawson. “As well as being a model, Jana is a normal teenage girl, going through heartbreaks and triumphs – I want ‘Meat Market’ to be as funny and outrageous as it is compelling.”
Marc Simonsson at MMB Creative brokered the “Meat Market” deal with Unstoppable. The production company recently announced a partnership with film funding platform Genera on a £250,000 ($327,000) short film production fund.
“’Meat Market’ is an irreverent, entertaining and funny story that also tackles the huge contemporary themes of #MeToo and the hyper-sexualization of girls,” Clarke and Maza said in a statement. They added that Dawson’s writing has warmth and humor even “when she takes us to dangerous places.”
“Juno’s research gives the story absolute authenticity, and it is ideal to adapt as a returning series for television,” the Unstoppable pair said. Both work in front of the camera as well, and are currently starring in Sky cop drama “Bulletproof,” which was renewed for a second season in June.
“Meat Market” is due to be published in May 2019. Dawson recently completed “Doctor Who” novel “The Good Doctor,” due to be published later this month. “The Good Doctor” is the first “Doctor Who” novel to feature the 13th Doctor, as played on TV by Jodie Whittaker.
