'The Mothers' by Genevieve Gannon Optioned by Goalpost Pictures
Genevieve Gannon’s novel, The Mothers (A&U) has been optioned for television by producers Rosemary Blight and Kylie du Fresne of Goalpost Television.
Published in January 2020, The Mothers is a gripping novel by award-winning journalist Gannon. It tells the heart-wrenching dilemma of two couples, one baby and an unimaginable choice and is inspired by a real-life case of an IVF laboratory mix-up.
Goalpost Television is a division of Goalpost Pictures whose credits include the box office hits The Sapphires and Top End Wedding, the acclaimed television series Cleverman and the upcoming feature film I Am Woman.
In a joint statement, Rosemary Blight and Kylie du Fresne of Goalpost pictures says:
“When we first read The Mothers we knew we wanted to be a part of bringing the story to our screens. Genevieve has crafted a compelling and nuanced narrative which asks what defines parenthood today. The impossible dilemma the couples face is so rich with ethical, personal and legal tangles and is truly a contemporary story that needs to be told. We are always looking to give a platform to stories with great talent behind them, complex female protagonists, and a social heartbeat, wrapped up in entertaining drama - all of which we saw in The Mothers”
Gannon says: “As I was writing this novel, I found myself feeling constantly astonished at the thought the heartbreaking situation the characters face is something that real people have had to negotiate. The cases that inspired the story challenge our very understanding of what it is to be a parent and the fact that different jurisdictions have had different outcomes shows just how complex the issue is. I had the pleasure of meeting some of the Goalpost team while researching a feature story on their beautiful film, Top End Wedding, and was so thrilled when I learned they wanted to make The Mothers into a television series. I know that they will be able to tell this story in a compelling and sensitive way, and I cannot wait to be a part of bringing their vision to audiences.”
North American rights to The Mothers have just been sold to William Morrow US.
