Sarah Snook is heading back to HBO for a new limited series inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s legendary horror film The Birds, with the project bringing a fresh murder mystery to the classic tale of nature turning against humanity.
Currently in development at HBO, the series will reimagine the 1963 film and Daphne du Maurier’s original 1952 novella, introducing new characters and a contemporary setting in Alaska. Snook, best known for her Emmy-winning performance in Succession, will lead the series as Myra Massey, a woman whose return to her hometown quickly becomes a fight for survival.
The story follows Myra as she returns home with her young daughter while attempting to escape a bitter custody battle. Alongside her personal struggles, she begins secretly investigating the suspicious disappearance of a childhood friend. However, what initially appears to be an investigation into a troubling case soon takes a terrifying turn when a killer emerges and deadly bird attacks begin threatening the community.
As the danger escalates, Myra must protect her daughter while uncovering the truth behind the mystery, with the increasingly violent attacks seemingly connected to the crime. The series promises to combine psychological tension, a murder investigation and the unsettling horror that made the original story so enduring.
Tom Spezialy, whose television credits include Watchmen and The Leftovers, is writing the pilot and will executive produce the project. Snook will also executive produce, alongside David Heyman and Danny Samit for Heyday Television, as well as Jennifer Gabler Rawlings of Omni Artists.
The series is a collaboration between HBO and Universal Global Television, with Universal Pictures and the du Maurier estate controlling the rights to the original property.
Hitchcock’s The Birds, starring Tippi Hedren, became one of the filmmaker’s most recognisable works following its release in 1963. The film transformed du Maurier’s unsettling story into a landmark of suspense cinema, depicting a community suddenly confronted by inexplicable and increasingly violent bird attacks.
Attempts to revisit the property have previously struggled to reach the screen, including a proposed feature film remake announced in 2007 and a television adaptation discussed in 2017. HBO’s latest take offers another opportunity to revisit the material through a longer-form narrative, with a new protagonist and an expanded mystery at its centre.
For Snook, the project marks another major television role following her acclaimed work as Shiv Roy in Succession. She also recently starred in the thriller series All Her Fault, further demonstrating her ability to lead tense, character-driven dramas.
With its combination of a familiar horror premise, a contemporary setting and a crime-driven storyline, The Birds could offer a fresh perspective on one of cinema’s most enduring tales of terror.
The limited series is in development at HBO. A premiere date and additional casting details have yet to be announced.
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