HBO joins BBC for TV series based on J.K. Rowling's 'The Casual Vacancy'

HBO has joined the BBC for The Casual Vacancy, a miniseries based on J.K. Rowling’s novel of the same name. The best-selling novel was Rowling’s first novel since the end of the Harry Potter series and her first adult novel.

Back in December 2012, shortly after the book was published, the BBC commissioned a series based on it. The BBC said that Rowling will be closely involved in the creation of the series.

There had been no news on the project until today, when HBO announced that it will co-produce the project. According to TheWrap, it will air on HBO in the U.S. and on the BBC in the U.K. Production will kick off in South West England this summer, HBO president of programming Michael Lombardo said.

Rowling and Neil Blair’s Bronte Film and Television will produce The Casual Vacancy with Paul Trijbits and Rick Senat executive producing. Sarah Phelps wrote the script and Jonny Campbell is directing. Ruth Kenley-Letts is producing.

The series will include three one-hour episodes and centers on the town of Pagford. It may look nice on the outside, but the relationships between its citizens are anything but.

Rowling is currently working on Warner Bros.’ Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them and another Robert Galbraith novel.