Marcella producer secures TV rights to hit novel The Doll Factory

Buccaneer Media, the production company behind the ITV/Netflix hit show Marcella, have bagged rights to adapt The Doll Factory to a TV series.

Elizabeth Macneal’s novel hasn't even been published yet. It had numerous companies bidding for publishing rights and won the Caledonia Novel Award 2018.

It was eventually picked up by Picador for UK publication while Simon & Schuster won US rights.

Both are expected to publish the book in spring/summer 2019 with the novel being translated into 25 languages.

Set in the 1850s, the novel tells the story of aspiring artist Iris who works in doll-making shops as she meets Silas, a reclusive collector. The meeting is momentary, with Iris forgetting it almost immediately. But for Silas, it marks the beginning of a dark obsession.

TV adaption rights of this story are another big win for Buccaneer Media, whose British crime noir series was well-received. Anna Friel won an International Emmy Award for her portrayal of Marcella’s protagonist in 2017.