Millie Bobby Brown, the breakout star of Stranger Things, is set to bring her literary debut to life on the big screen. The young actress and producer will adapt her bestselling novel, Nineteen Steps, into a feature film for Netflix, with plans to produce under her PCMA banner and potentially star in the project.
The screenplay for Nineteen Steps will be adapted by the renowned screenwriter Anthony McCarten, a four-time Oscar nominee best known for his work on The Theory of Everything, Darkest Hour, and Bohemian Rhapsody. Jonathan Eirich will produce the film for Rideback, with Nick Reynolds serving as executive producer.
Published in September 2023 by William Morrow, Nineteen Steps quickly became a New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller. The novel, co-written by Brown and Kathleen McGurl, is a poignant World War II drama inspired by the real-life experiences of Brown’s grandmother. Set in the East London neighborhood of Bethnal Green, the story follows 18-year-old Nellie Morris as she navigates the hardships of wartime life. Amid the constant threat of bombings, rationing, and the emotional strain of separation from loved ones, Nellie finds herself in a blossoming romance with American airman Ray. At the heart of the novel lies the tragic Bethnal Green Tube disaster, one of the UK’s deadliest civilian incidents during the war, where 173 people lost their lives in a desperate attempt to seek shelter during an air raid.
Millie Bobby Brown’s connection to Netflix runs deep, having shot to fame with her role as Eleven in the streaming giant’s global hit Stranger Things. Her portrayal of the telekinetic teen has earned her two Emmy nominations and two SAG Award nominations for Female Actor in a Drama Series, along with a SAG Award win as part of the ensemble cast. As Stranger Things gears up for its fifth and final season, Brown’s star continues to rise.
In addition to her work on Stranger Things, Brown recently headlined Netflix’s fantasy film Damsel, which has amassed 138 million views, placing it at No. 7 on the platform’s Most Popular Movies list. She also starred in the widely popular Enola Holmes films, as well as the blockbusters Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Godzilla vs. Kong. Brown’s upcoming projects include The Electric State, a highly anticipated Netflix film from the Russo Brothers, where she will star alongside Chris Pratt. The film is slated for a March 2025 release.
Anthony McCarten’s involvement in the adaptation of Nineteen Steps adds further prestige to the project. The Oscar-nominated writer-producer is known for his compelling biopics, including I Wanna Dance with Somebody and Bohemian Rhapsody, which brought the lives of music legends Whitney Houston and Freddie Mercury to the big screen. McCarten’s other upcoming projects include The Collaboration, a film based on his own play that explores the friendship between iconic artists Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
With Brown’s strong personal connection to the story and her growing influence in Hollywood, Nineteen Steps is poised to be a moving and visually captivating film that will resonate with audiences around the world. As Netflix continues to invest in high-profile adaptations, this project promises to be another standout in the streaming service’s ever-expanding library of original content.
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