I’ve just sent out a special edition of the Roadhouse Report to let you all in on a secret I’ve been keeping for what feels like years but is really only months.
Evergreen Films of Anchorage and Los Angeles has acquired the screen rights to the Kate Shugak novels.
As you have all heard me say too many times to count, I was determined to sell the screen rights only to someone who would shoot the series in Alaska. Specifically, to someone who would put Alaska, not British Columbia or central Washington state, right up there next to Kate and Mutt.
Well, that someone found me. Mike Devlin made his bones in Silicon Valley software, came north and fell in love with Alaska, and is now pursuing a second life in film production. I don’t know him that well yet, but my gut says he’s got a good heart and a hard head, along with the muscle and the determination to make this happen. He says, and I’m quoting verbatim, “There’s no reason we can’t film the whole series in Alaska.”
Read more about Evergreen in Alaska in the Anchorage Daily News story here.
The press conference announcing the deal was in Anchorage this morning at 11am, and Mike and I will be on Hour 3 of Dan Fagan’s radio show today.
54 Comments
If it doesn’t air on a broadcast channel we’re getting cable no matter WHAT arguments my husband gives me! When will we know which actors will be involved?
Congratulations, Dana! Let me know where and how to apply as an extra. It would be worth the trip!
Congratulations on the upcoming film series. I love every one of your books about Kate Shugak. I worked in Anchorage for a while at Pacific Telecom and read some of them while there. I have continued to seek them out once I came back to Missouri.
Hi Dana, not sure if you or the producer are aware, but the State just started a film production tax incentive program. Details can be found on their website at http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/oed/film/bulletinboard.htm
It can be a fairly significant monetary benefit for filming in Alaska…
Congratulations!
Congrats, Dana. And thanks for holding firm on the location for shooting, too.
Good news! Yay!
I’ll look for the podcast from the radio show tomorrow.
Congrats on the TV series, question though, I am a huge fan of Blindfold Game, will this new tv series open up the possibility of you other book being made into movies or tv shows? I have always thought that blindfold Game would make a GREAT MOVIE
As a Coastie my self, I would love to see this happen. Thanks for such a GREAT BOOK!
Congratulations.. I look forward to enjoying them again, in the film format, and declaring that once again the books are the better of the two. Hope they keep you for storyline and character definition.
Barb g
Congrats on your continuing success Dana!
Steve & Leslie down in Boise.
Dana:
I’m so excited for you and for this opportunity in Alaska! Congratulations! You’ve worked hard and deserve the reward.
Sincerely,
Stacy
Stumbled over this news today in ADN then KTUU. Thanks. Something that is relevant for my kids-bona fide Alaska to boot. Now we won’t have to keep watching the video Spirit of the Wind about George Attla’s life from a scratchy tape. Please cast Alaska Native/American Indian actors, especially for Kate. Don’t repeat past Hollywood insults and mistakes. Your series are set all over AK, hope the show can be as well-for the most part. Thanks for the entertainment.
Congratulations!!! Happy news for you and Alaska. Also for us!! So very exciting! Can’t wait until they get to CASTING!!! That will be interesting, huh?
Yippee!! Hooray!! What great news! I can hardly wait to see who is cast as your wonderful characters. Congratulations to you, Mike Devlin, and Alaska. I’m slightly familiary with ‘Kate’s country’, and it will be a thrill to see it depicted accurately.
With anticipation,
Venita in NC
Congratulations and Hello from a very ardent fan from the very beginning. We follow all the adventures closely and am excited Kate’s adventures will be in Alaska as there is definately no place like home !
Also, in previous novels, you mention the name Shadura. Do you know someone personally? That is our family name, and it goes a long wasy back.
Keep up the nobel work and Thank you,
Rosabel
Sorry I’m taking so long to respond today, guys, lots going on.
Susan, they have not yet begun to cast. I’ll post that info here and on my Facebook page when it happens, but it’ll be a while.
Angie, there would have been no deal without Alaska’s film incentive program. Mike wouldn’t be trying to jump-start an entire film industry in Alaska without it.
David, from your mouth to Mike’s ears.
Barbara, I laughed out loud at your comment. Thanks!
Eileen, it is my most fervent hope that they will find an Alaska Native actress to play Kate. Always keep in mind that that decision comes within the province of the guys who write the checks.
Rosabel, I can’t even remember where I used the name Shadura, or for whom. Sorry.
Casting will be the big other thing . I wince every time Temperance Brennan appears on screen . Nothing against the actress but I can’t believe the casting director ever read a Kathy Reich book ! Also hope they go with an ensemble concept .
Ed — The ensemble nature of the Kate Shugak series was one of the things that sold it to Mike.
I join the chorus in shouting congratulations! Extra praise for holding out for an all Alaskan venue.
Can’t wait to see who gets cast as Mutt.
Alexander McCall Smith had The #1 Detective series filmed in Botswana.
There is no substitute for Authenticity.
I may have to buy a T.V.
Erma
congratulations! Can’t wait for the series to start! I am so glad you kept firm about it being filmed in Alaska and not british Columbia! I am so excited! I have read every book in the Kate Shugak series twice!
I like Kate Shugak, but I am going to love seeing her aunts! They are most interesting.
Dana, this is wonderful news — congratulations! And how nice to have something to look forward to on TV.
Chris
Wow, that’s excellent! Congratulations, Dana! I wonder how they will want to handle Hunter’s Moon
Sure it’s integral to the plot arc, but can you just imagine doing that to Buck Rogers, or his female counterpart?
Looking forward to it.
Kate in Pittsburgh
This is very exciting. I hope it goes better than Tony Hillerman’s recollection of transferring his Joe Leaphorn books to TV, in his memoir SELDOM DISAPPOINTED. That was equal parts amusing and appalling. This sounds more hopeful.
What wonderful news, Dana. I hope the series is made, and is successful.
I know you’re being inundated with suggestions as to who should play Kate - to the extent you have a say in the process. Thought I might as well weigh in with my recommendation: Karina Moeller, singer with Pamyua. She’s such a talent, and I know you know her.
Best of luck, and best wishes.
The sooner the Kate Shugack series starts, the happier I’ll be. It’ll stop the cravings in the meantime while I wait for the next Kate Shugack mystery.
Congratulations on the series. It was a long time coming and I know we won’t be disappointed because you never fail to deliver a superb read. I know you’ll be vigilant to make sure that the essence that is the character of Kate,and depiction of the storyline will ring true.
Keep Writing!
One word “Alaska” That’s what should be the hook for the TV show.
Re: rosabel…
Shadura is a name better known in Kenai than Seldovia. Real people. That’s what I like about the series- The use of names I recognize-and the memories that spring from them unbidden… on top of which Kate’s stories are great reads.
My only hope is that it doesn’t get messed up as so many other books to TV/Movies are.
The stories are to great!
Dana,
I’m such a late-comer, since I just discovered your site. So….your newsletter will keep me posted on your developments and writing, etc. Love your books, especially Kate Shugak. While reading, often times I ’see’ her in a movie/TV show. Certain it won’t be available in Pittsburgh PA, but maybe each season on DVD?
Thanks for sharing your superb writing talent!
Bernadette (Bernie) Mihalic
Just got back and am so very thrilled to here about the show, feel like I was on mars, can’t wait to let all your fans (who I gave there first Dana book to) know. Even Ireland is thrilled, thanks so much Dana for youor amazing talent and your heart being here in Alaska
Dana,
I’ve haven’t read your novels yet but will buy your latest book today. My best friend was at your book signing in San Diego and loved you. From her limited experience going to book signings she discovered not all authors can speak as well as write. You however, greatly impressed her. I look forward reading your latest novel, “A night too Dark.”
Anita
Thank your best friend for me, Anita!
Discovered your Kate Shugak books at a Bed And Breakfast while om vacation in Stika and have been trying to get ALL of your books ever since. My friends like Kate and they have all been borrowed.
Will be looking for the show when it comes on.
I am really looking forward to the TV series as long as it is anywhere near as good as the books. All the Kate Shugack books have HEART. Also, filming in Alaska has got to be a big plus. Those of us in the lower states get too few views of that big beautiful state.
Thanks for being such a Kate enabler, Jim, and Carole, I think these guys actually mean it when they say they’re filming here. This all still feels a little surreal.
Congratulations! to you and to the people who will be introduced to Kate for the first time. I hope for all involved it is a successful venture. I also wonder if, as in another TV series based on a book persona, all the female characters will dress to show as much cleavage as possible(in the work place no less). Could be really cold in Alaska.
love your books, enjoy having to use the dictionary for some of the vocabulary, try expatiate instead of elaborate..some British mystery authors use it, has more panache
Like ‘expatiate’ myself, Judith. I think I have used it, a time or two, but at gunpoint I couldn’t tell you where.
Love your books. Hope that you will be in on the screenplay so that your characters will be true to your writing. Its always a disappointment when a well loved book loses its integrity in translating to film. I think one of my favorite scenes is Kate’s “story” at the Convention in BLOOD WILL TELL. Has a real sense of power to it. Thanks for so many hours of entertainment.
Thanks, Margery!
Just wanted to say how much I have enjoyed both your Kate Shugak and Liam Campbell series.
Noticed that one had a comment re of Kates telling the moose story. I concur with this as well. It was to me a very emotional passage. Kate has proved to be a true leader of her parkrats. Shown by her finding a job for the young chap, Peter who has given up all hope of being ever trusted again. Your portrayal of a FAS character is very important in todays society. I have a better understanding of First Nation culture from your series especially through dance.
Kate has lost a true ally in the death of old Sam. Perhaps replaced by
Ms. Mike?
Also am pleased with the trusting relationship that has developed between Kate and Chopper Jim.
Thanks again
John Watson
Winnipeg
Thank you, John!
What wonderful news! As others have stated, I am excited to read that Kate & Company will be filmed where it should be, the cast will be ensemble, and that this is actually happening. Wow. I have tracked down all the Kate books over the past few months, and am waiting for the last one to arrive. There is something very real about your writing, and I appreciate the time and care you give. Thank you.
I can’t wait!! I sure hope it’s on a main network channel, we can’t get cable where we live.
Dana,
I know having your series is a big boost for you, but I don’t think I’ll watch the shows. I have every one of the books in the series and I have a picture of each of the regulars. I don’t want my pictures replaced by those of some casting director. I’ll stick to reading, thanks.
I know just what you mean, Jo, and I don’t blame you. Loving it that you’re enjoying the books so much, thanks!
I read A Night too Dark and then had to start the series…It is a good thing that I am retired as I have been reading at least a book a day. No cooking, cleaning, or yard work!! Cried and mourned with Kate when Jack was killed. I knew it was going to happen(A Night too Dark), but it came too soon. Thank you for such interesting characters and a background of such beauty.
What a wonderful compliment, Patricia! Thank you so much.
Dana
I am so thrilled to see that Kate will come to TV soon. I have been a huge fan and Shugak booster since the start of the series. She is one of my favorite characters of all time. Congrats on the series. Ill definitely be watching.
I have read almost all the KS series and have been hoping they would be made into movies or TV. How terrific. I enjoy all your books and recommend them to all my friends.
Thanks, Elsa!
have all but the most recent of your books. They inspired me to cruise to Alaska and will cruise again. What a beautiful place. Love your books & characters I can always “see” them you are so descriptive.sad that Jack had to die but Jim is in there. Please give us more of Liam Campbell, I love him & can just see him in horse stance.worried a bit when you left Kate & Liam for others but am now convinced you can’t write a bad story. I live in Kansas & sure hope I can get the TV series.
Wow, Stevie, what a compliment! Thank you so much. There may be news about the TV series soon. (I know I say that all the time but that’s pretty much all I’m allowed to say.)
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