The world of television is currently captivated by adaptations of popular books, particularly those geared towards younger audiences. Riding this wave of success, the BBC is launching Crookhaven, a new series based on the book series by J.J. Arcanjo. Premiering on Sunday, March 22nd, the show promises a unique twist on the coming-of-age genre, blending mystery, adventure, and a compelling premise: a school dedicated to training young criminals to use their skills for good.
Crookhaven centers around a group of eight international students attending a secret school where they hone their abilities in areas like deception, crimnastics, forgery, and infiltration. The goal? To bring balance, justice, and order to the outside world. The series aims to appeal to a broad audience, offering a story that families can enjoy together, a sentiment echoed by those involved in its creation. The full series will also be available to stream on BBC iPlayer starting March 22nd.
The cast features a mix of established and up-and-coming talent, including Dougray Scott, Julie Hesmondhalgh, and Keith Allen, alongside Adolescence breakout Amari Bacchus. Lucas Leach, who plays the pickpocket Gabriel, shared that returning to a school environment for filming was a surprisingly cathartic experience. “I was bullied at school, I had very difficult times when I’d arrive back home and didn’t want to move school because I didn’t feel like it was the place for me,” Leach explained. He added, “I wish I could have gone to a school where I could observe who I was, because you hardly even grasp yourself at that age. To be allowed the space to discover yourself.”
Carmel Laniado, portraying Gabriel’s arch-rival Penelope, highlighted the show’s diverse and international cast, chosen to reflect the school’s global student body. “What’s so nice is that, despite all their differences, [the characters] are able to connect and find their chosen family because they all come from different backgrounds and not necessarily ones they’re happy with or feel like they identify with,” Laniado said.
Adapting from Page to Screen: Challenges and Rewards
Adapting a beloved book series for television isn’t without its challenges. Writer Justin Young, who previously worked on the adaptation of Sanditon, understands this firsthand. “If you want to meet people who are protective, it’s Jane Austen fans,” he joked. Young explained that translating a novel to the screen requires acknowledging the inherent differences in the mediums. “You have to accept quite early on that they are such different genres,” he said. “When I first started writing for television, the thing that was so shocking to me was how much story you require for television. It’s unbelievable, it’s like a machine. Every five to 10 minutes you’ve got to give the audience a big surprise, you’ve got to keep developing stories.”
However, the benefits of adapting from a pre-existing work are also significant. Laniado emphasized the advantage of building upon Arcanjo’s established world. “It was a real privilege to be able to use what’s already been created and elevate it,” she said, adding that the author’s writing allowed her to fully immerse herself in the story. Leach echoed this sentiment, expressing his hope that the show will further boost the popularity of the original books.
A Show for All Ages
Despite featuring characters with criminal backgrounds, Crookhaven is intentionally designed to be a family-friendly show. Young stressed that the series wasn’t conceived with a specific age group in mind. “Never throughout the development have I ever thought of writing for kids – we wanted to create something the whole family could watch together,” he stated. Laniado agreed, believing the show’s themes of identity and belonging will resonate with viewers of all ages. “I feel like there are a lot of shows targeted for specific audiences but I feel like this show engages everyone, really – anyone will be able to see themselves in that world,” she said.
Young also highlighted the exciting opportunity to showcase emerging talent. “I’d be watching audition tapes in the kitchen and my kids, who are 10 and 13, would be staring over my shoulder – they were starstruck by these actors,” he recalled. “It’s really important for the health of the industry to keep new blood coming in and I think it’s so exciting and energising for us to work with people who are right at the beginning of their careers and have that excitement, passion, and energy.”
As Crookhaven prepares to debut, the BBC is hoping to replicate the success seen with other recent book adaptations like The Summer I Turned Pretty and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. The series promises a compelling blend of mystery, adventure, and relatable characters, offering a fresh grab on the high school drama genre.
With its intriguing premise and talented cast, Crookhaven is poised to become the next must-watch family drama. The show’s success will likely hinge on its ability to capture the spirit of J.J. Arcanjo’s books while delivering a captivating television experience. What remains to be seen is how audiences will respond to this unique world of young criminals learning to use their skills for good.
What are your thoughts on the premise of Crookhaven? Share your excitement in the comments below!
