Last month, the TV adaptation of Bong Joon-ho‘s 2013 film Snowpiercer hit a serious snag, when showrunner Josh Friedman left the series over creative differences – though Friedman later said via Twitter that he was fired for fear of not being “compliant”.
That left the upcoming TNT series with a hole that they’ve now filled. Orphan Black co-creator Graeme Manson has been tapped as the new showrunner for Snowpiercer, with TNT executive vice president of original programming calling him: “the best conductor to navigate the thought provoking and delicate themes of the series while bringing this frozen, futuristic world to life”.
The original film told a story set in a dystopian future, revolving around the last remnants of civilisation that exist on a train that speeds around the world during a new ice age, with train compartments being divided by class. The TV series is set to take place seven years after the ice age event and revolve around a small band of people that inhabit the train.
The series will star Jennifer Connelly and Daveed Diggs. Scott Derrickson (Doctor Strange) has already directed the pilot, while the first season will consist of ten episodes.
TNT are likely ecstatic that they’ve been able to reel in an experienced showrunner in Manson to replace the departed Friedman. Orphan Black was a show that quickly gained popularity and also existed within the sci-fi realm Snowpiercer inhabits, so this seems to be a pretty smart team-up for both sides.
A premiere date for the show has not yet been announced, but it’s expected to debut sometime later this year.
#Peace.Love.Snowpiercer
