More than six decades after Alfred Hitchcock's iconic horror classic terrified ornithophobes, The Birds is preparing to take flight once again – this time as a limited television series. And that's not all – Emmy-winning Australian actress Sarah Snook, best known for her acclaimed role in Succession, is set to headline the ambitious new adaptation, which is currently being shopped to networks and streaming platforms.
Why is it being remade?
While the project has been described as a reimagining of The Birds, the creative team is keen to stress that it is not a direct remake of Hitchcock's 1963 film. Instead, the series will return to the source material: Daphne du Maurier's 1952 novella, which inspired the original movie. According to producers, the new adaptation aims to explore themes of nature turning against humanity, an idea that feels particularly relevant in an era increasingly shaped by climate change.
The setting has also shifted dramatically, moving from Cornwall and Bodega Bay to the remote wilderness of Alaska.
Who is involved?
Writer Tom Spezialy, whose credits include The Leftovers and Watchmen, is developing the contemporary take on the story.
At present, Sarah Snook (All Her Fault and Run Rabbit Run) is the only cast member attached to the project. She will play Myra Massey, a travelling magistrate who returns to her isolated Alaskan hometown for what should be a routine death hearing. Instead, she discovers the bullet-ridden body of a childhood friend and becomes embroiled in a dangerous mystery as unexplained bird attacks begin to escalate around her.
Where will it be available to watch?
That remains one of the biggest unanswered questions. The series is being taken out to buyers, meaning a broadcaster or streaming service has not yet been officially announced. Universal International Studios and David Heyman's Heyday Television are producing the project, so further details are expected once a platform secures the rights.
When will it be released?
No release date has been confirmed. The project is still in the early stages of development, with casting beyond Snook and a distribution partner yet to be announced. For now, fans of psychological horror will have to keep a close eye on the skies.
