Bill Bryson’s A Short History Of Nearly Everything is headed to the small screen, Deadline reports.
Bryson’s book, published by Broadway in 2003, grapples with some of the most fundamental questions about science and life on Earth. In a starred review, a critic for Kirkus said the book contains “loads of good explaining, with reminders, time and again, of how much remains unknown, neatly putting the death of science into perspective.”
The book will be adapted into an animated series by producers Josh Weinstein (The Simpsons, Futurama) and Jason Hazeley (Spitting Image, Cunk on Earth). Richard Ayoade, the comedian and director known for his role in The IT Crowd, will narrate the series.
Bryson’s work has been adapted for the screen before. His 1996 book, Notes From a Small Island, spawned a 1999 documentary series, and his bestselling 1998 account of hiking the Appalachian trail, A Walk in the Woods, was adapted for a 2015 film starring Robert Redford and Emma Thompson.
About the new series, Bryson told Deadline, “I feel very lucky to have such a gifted and distinguished group of creative talents turning my words into screen magic.”
And Will Clarke, co-CEO of production company Altitude, said, “We know from broadcasters and streamers that audiences are hungry to explore and learn more about our universe whilst being entertained, and our series—which we envisage as a long-running entertainment franchise—is the perfect way to deliver that.”
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
