The Long and Mysterious Journey of Hulu's Court of Thorns and Roses TV Show

Summary

A Court of Thorns and Roses TV show is in development for Hulu, but there has been a lack of updates, leaving fans wondering why it's taking so long.

The coronavirus pandemic and challenges with remote collaboration have resulted in delays in the pre-production process. Additionally, Sarah J. Maas's transition from being a solo writer to leading a writers' room may also contribute to the delays, as she familiarizes herself with the realm of television adaptation.

After receiving news in early 2021 about Hulu adapting A Court of Thorns and Roses into a TV series, there has been a lack of updates, leaving many book readers wondering what the hold-up is. On March 26, 2021, author Sarah J. Maas shared on Instagram that the development of a Court of Thorns and Roses TV show is underway. This popular ACOTAR series has sold millions of copies worldwide and has a dedicated fan base that has produced fanfiction, fan art, and more. Considering the competition among streaming platforms for the next major fantasy hit, it comes as no surprise that Hulu secured the rights to A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Since then, however, there have not been many updates regarding the progress of the Court of Thorns and Roses show. Maas mentioned that she spends a few hours each day working on the pilot episode, with the assistance of Outlander creator Ron Moore. Earlier this year, there were rumors that the writing team had already completed scripts for the first four episodes, although this remains unconfirmed. Given the potential success of the show, it is peculiar that the development of A Court of Thorns and Roses is taking such a long time.

Why The Court Of Thorns And Roses Show Has Been So Delayed

The long pre-production period of A Court of Thorns and Roses can be attributed to a few factors. Firstly, the series was confirmed during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, making it more challenging for the writers' room to collaborate effectively. In-person discussions and problem-solving sessions tend to be more efficient than remote communication through email or Zoom.

Additionally, author Sarah J. Maas may also be contributing to the delay in the production process. Transitioning from being a solo writer to leading a team of talented individuals with their own ideas can be a difficult adjustment. It is not uncommon for authors to clash with those adapting their works in Hollywood. Given the attachment and investment authors have in their creations, it is understandable that Maas may be experiencing challenges as she navigates the world of television.

Court Of Thorns And Roses Will Be A Hulu First–And A Risk

Hulu has been praised for its original series in various genres, gaining popularity among viewers in recent years. From crime dramas to animated shows, slice-of-life comedies to sci-fi and horror, they have covered a wide range. However, they have yet to venture into the realm of fantasy. A Court of Thorns and Roses will mark Hulu's first foray into this genre, which may explain the careful approach to its adaptation. Fantasy series can be challenging to adapt, especially when intricate world-building is involved. Furthermore, they tend to be more costly due to the elaborate set pieces, costumes, and CGI requirements.

A Court of Thorns and Roses represents something of a risk for Hulu. The book series has a dedicated and growing fanbase, thanks in part to the influence of TikTok's "BookTok" community. Nonetheless, the success of the show will depend on its ability to captivate an audience beyond this established fanbase. Given these considerations, the extra time taken in the development of A Court of Thorns and Roses may ultimately be beneficial.