Huge thanks to Kidscreen Magazine for documenting the long journey of adapting Holly Smale’s GEEK GIRL novels to the screen.
I first fell in love with Holly Smale’s first book many years ago, when we were both debut novelists touring our books up and down the UK.
A few years later, Holly trusted me enough to option the book and I thought that the material was so strong that it would find a fast lane from book to screen. But, alas, a lot of things got in the way and it took years of knocking on doors until finally Netflix saw what we had always seen in the project – something joyful for everyone.
With the commission secured (though a co-production arrangement with Netflix and Corus Entertainment), I was able to bring on an incredible production team, starting with UK creative producer Zoe Rocha (RubyRock Pictures). I paired Zoe with the Canadian dynamic duo of Anthony Leo & Andrew Rosen (Aircraft Pictures) in order to create what’s called a “treat co-production”, meaning that both the UK and Canada consider the show to be “local” content. That unlocked enough finance to make the show look gorgeous….and doesn’t it just?
This was a long gestating labour of love, and I’m so very proud of how it turned out, and forever grateful for the incredible work from the producers, cast, crew and everyone involved brought to this wonderful story about being your (best) self.
Geek Girl is now streaming on Netflix.
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