Not What They’re Looking For

Previously, it was announced that the creator of ‘The Righteous Gemstones’, Danny McBride, had planned his next HBO series based on Grady Hendrix’s horror novel ‘The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires’. However, since then there hasn’t been much information about its progress, and regrettably, McBride hinted that the project might not materialize as it’s currently “just drifting around”.

During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter about his life and career, the topic of the HBO vampire series was brought up, which is likened to a blend between “Steel Magnolias” and “Dracula.” McBride, along with his partner from “The Righteous Gemstones,” Edi Patterson, were set to adapt Hendrix’s best-selling novel. However, the project had previously been in development at Amazon before moving homes due to a series of delays. Recently, it seems that progress has halted once more, with McBride stating that HBO may no longer be interested in the idea.

As a movie critic, I must admit, attempting to create a 30-minute ensemble show that seamlessly blends genres is no easy feat. Even at the prestigious HBO, this challenge has proven to be quite formidable. The project we’ve been working on, based on a beloved property, has not yet gained the momentum we had hoped for. I am deeply passionate about this material and would dearly love to bring it to life in a meaningful way, but unfortunately, the results so far have left us wanting more. For now, the project seems to be adrift, waiting for the right direction to take hold.

In Hendrix’s novel, the members of a woman’s book club in a small Southern town, who bond over their shared passion for true crime stories, must devise a strategy to confront an enigmatic stranger. The narrative appears perfect for a television series, offering potential for delving into themes like friendship, power dynamics, and family ties. Regrettably, McBride lamented that HBO has currently shown little enthusiasm for the project.

Here’s everything you need. To my thinking, it’s an obvious choice that HBO ought to approve immediately. Given our recent work on Gemstones, we should have transitioned directly into filming the pilot. Perhaps it’s simply not what they’re seeking at this moment in time.

More to come…

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2025-05-07 18:22