HBO Max has picked up a group of writers from Netflix original Riverdale for a new pilot order of a drama called The Shelley Society.
First reported by Deadline and confirmed by Variety, the move sees Riverdale writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, plus two other writers from the Netflix show, work on a drama documenting a young Mary Shelley and a group of fellow Romantics as they take on threats from the supernatural realm.
The show makes use of historical names such as Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron, and sees the characters come face to face with creatures such as Shelley’s Frankenstein.
The project came about as a result of a creative collaboration between Aguirre-Sacasa, James DeWille and Tessa Leigh Williams. The trio will take on the roles of executive producers as well as co-creators, with Aguirre-Sacasa also being a showrunner. The series will be produced by Warner Bros Television.
Aguirre-Sacasa set up a deal with WBTV in August, and The Shelley Society will be his first project as part of it. The writer and producer is also COO of Archie Comics, helping to develop the Archie universe in Riverdale over the last few years. Other shows based on Archie Comics are Netflix series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and upcoming CW series Katy Keene.
HBO Max is working hard to create an impressive content slate ahead of its launch in spring 2020. Notable additions include a five-season partnership with Sesame Street and the securing of US streaming rights to all Studio Ghibli movies.
