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Netflix gives straight-to-series order to 'Prep', from Curtis Sittenfeld's novel

Netflix has ordered a series of "Prep", adapted from Curtis Sittenfeld's 2005 novel by Nicole Taylor and produced with Gloria Sanchez Productions. A writers room is slated to open in January.

5 outlets · 2L · 3C · 0R First reported Account updated

Updated (version 2). New coverage since the last version from Collider, Screen Rant, The Hollywood Reporter.

Image: Deadline
Image: Variety
Image: Collider
Image: The Hollywood Reporter

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The story, neutrally told

Mixed · 2Netflix has given a straight-to-series order to "Prep", a drama based on Curtis Sittenfeld's novel of the same name. Mixed · 2The show is described as a coming-of-age story about scholarship girl Lee Fiora's high school years at Ault, a prestigious New England boarding school, as she navigates friendship, crushes and class among her privileged classmates. Mixed · 2Nicole Taylor, a BAFTA TV Award winner who was head writer and executive producer of Netflix's "One Day", is writer and showrunner. She executive produces with Will Ferrell, Jessica Elbaum and Alix Taylor of Gloria Sanchez Productions, and with Sittenfeld.

Centre · 1Deadline reports that the half-hour project was developed internally at Netflix, that it is not a comedy, and that a writers room is slated to open in January. Left · 1Taylor said "Prep" is her all-time favourite novel and that she has longed to adapt it for the 20 years since she first read it. Sittenfeld said the 22-year wait was worth it and praised Taylor's scripts. Centre · 1The novel was published by Random House in January 2005. Deadline notes that HBO tried about 10 years ago to adapt it as a comedy series from Colleen McGuinness and Carolyn Strauss, which did not move forward.

Left · 1The Hollywood Reporter says Prep looks to be the first Sittenfeld novel adaptation to reach the screen, noting that Hulu's 2020 attempt at Rodham never got past development and that New Line and Hello Sunshine are developing a film of her 2024 book Romantic Comedy. Centre · 1Screen Rant, which cites Deadline for the order, dates the HBO effort to 2016, says the writers room is expected to open in January 2027, and notes that Netflix has announced no cast or release date. Centre · 1Screen Rant adds that One Day, which premiered in 2024, holds a 92% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes from 49 reviews, and places Prep alongside Netflix teen dramas such as Outer Banks and My Life with the Walter Boys.

Mixed · 2Deadline places the series on Netflix's slate of upcoming YA titles, which includes The Sticks, The Body, Poser and Sid & Zoey, and says YA titles have generated over 10.4B global views since H1 2023. Variety instead notes Gloria Sanchez's history with Netflix, including Will Ferrell's golf comedy "The Hawk".

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.

Left2 outlets

Framing
Variety and The Hollywood Reporter give straightforward trade announcements of the order, built around the logline, the producers and the creators' quotes.
Emphasis
Production credits, Taylor's and Sittenfeld's statements; Variety adds Gloria Sanchez's Netflix history, THR the fate of other Sittenfeld adaptations.
Leaves out or plays down
Neither mentions the earlier HBO attempt, the January writers room or the YA viewing figures.
For example
“Netflix is expanding its YA slate with a straight-to-series order for Prep” — The Hollywood Reporter
“Gloria Sanchez has a long history with Netflix, most recently producing Ferrell’s golf comedy series “The Hawk.”” — Variety

Centre3 outlets

Framing
Deadline presents an exclusive on Netflix's search for its next YA hit; Screen Rant rewrites it as a 'forgotten' bestseller finally reaching screens after a 20-year wait.
Emphasis
Industry context: Netflix's YA slate, viewing figures, the failed HBO adaptation and writers room timing; Screen Rant adds One Day's reviews and Netflix teen dramas.
Leaves out or plays down
Neither mentions Gloria Sanchez's other Netflix shows; Screen Rant omits Gloria Sanchez's track record and Deadline the Rotten Tomatoes scores.
Charged language
“Forgotten Bestselling Series”
For example
“Netflix is turning to a 2005 book in search for its next YA hit.” — Deadline
“Netflix is finally moving forward with a young adult drama from the creator of the television series One Day.” — Screen Rant

Right0 outlets

No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.

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