On paper, Sarah J. Maas’s BookTok-famous series “A Court of Thorns and Roses” is another perfect page-to-screen adaptation. In 2021, Hulu stepped up to the plate, announcing it would bring the “romantasy” series to life with Maas herself working on the script.
However, since then, the developmental cycle for the show has been turbulent, with the latest news having everyone searching the Cauldron for answers. Recent reports suggest the series might have been scrapped…or has it? Here is everything we know about the possible “ACOTAR” adaptation, including the latest on scripts, release date, cast, and more.
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The best-selling book series debuted in 2015 with the flagship novel “A Court of Thorns and Roses.” It follows 19-year-old huntress Feyre, who, after killing a wolf in the woods, is taken to the land of the faerie, Prythian, by the beast Tamlin to live with him as punishment for the crime. Soon, she develops feelings for him; Feyre learns that not only was Tamlin once one of the immortal faeries that ruled Prythian as a High Lord, but also that everything she once knew about the dangerous faerie world is false.
The alternate-world series, which has sold more than 13 million copies, continues with four additional novels: “A Court of Mist and Fury,” “A Court of Wings and Ruin,” “A Court of Frost and Starlight,” and “A Court of Silver Flames.” Throughout the story, romance, mystery, politics, adventure, and world-building combine as Feyre’s journey becomes even more complicated. (Spoiler alert!) Not only does she herself become a High Fae, but she also visits a rival Night Court, prepares for war in Prythian, and even gets her sister Nesta involved.
The adventure is also not over. Maas confirmed last year she is drafting a sixth installment of the “ACOTAR” series, but no release date is planned at this time.
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In March 2021, Hulu ordered a script commitment for the “A Court of Thorns and Roses” series. Ronald D. Moore, who spearheaded Starz’s adaptation of Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander,” was on board at the time to write scripts with Maas. That was the official news, which came a month after Maas’ husband, in a since-deleted post, inadvertently shared a photo where the corner of a script title was clearly visible.
However, in July, at a Comic-Con event, fans received a disappointing update for the Hulu series. According to Entertainment Weekly, Moore is no longer involved in the adaptation. "I can tell you I am no longer working on it because I left Disney and I've returned to Sony," Moore says. Adding, “‘ACOTAR’ was a project that was at 20th Century Television and Disney."
While a setback, Moore did state that the show was “still in development" before he exited.
“I had worked on it for a while but it was still in development, as they say, when I left,” he said, before adding, “I don’t know what the status is anymore.”
Updates on the series’ development have been sparse, due in part to both the pandemic and the WGA/SAG-AFTRA strike. Another consideration is the ever-evolving TV landscape, particularly when it comes to the demand for large-scale fantasy adaptations. “ACOTAR” would be Hulu’s first foray into the genre, joining the likes of HBO’s “Game of Thrones” and its prequel show “House of the Dragon”; Netflix’s “Shadow and Bone”; Amazon Prime Video’s “The Wheel of Time”; and Disney Plus’ “Percy Jackson and the Olympians.” Despite the lack of concrete information, Moore confirmed in November 2023 that the series was still in development with “some scripts” written, but noted that a cast would need to be attached in order to move forward.
“We’re just sort of waiting,” he said. “I think the whole town is kind of waiting to see if we have actors before things really move forward, but it’s still in development.”
At the Television Critics Association press tour in early February 2024, the president of Disney Television Group, Craig Erwich, gave another optimistic yet cryptic update. “That show has been in development, but I don’t have any news to share today,” Erwich told reporters.
Things took a turn soon after. On February 12, 2024, TVLine reported that the series is not moving forward at Hulu, and the streamer’s parent company, 20th Television/Disney, would not be shopping the show to other outlets. Variety quickly followed up on the surprising news, noting that “A Court of Thorns and Roses” is still technically “in development” at Hulu, but not active development. This means that the series, as currently written and conceived, is not being shopped elsewhere. But the future of an “ACOTAR” adaptation in general is still very much up in the air.
This is just one of the most recent attempts to get the series onto the screen over the past decade. Tempo Productions optioned the film rights in 2015 but scrapped the project after years of development. With the book franchise’s popularity, particularly on TikTok (the tag #acotra has over 8 billion views and climbing), Hulu’s plan to adapt the series doesn’t seem to be totally quashed just yet. Actors including “Stargirl’s” Brec Bassinger have expressed interest in joining the project—if it ever gets developed.
“Literally, after I finished the first [book], I emailed my team, and I was like, ‘Listen, I don’t care if I have one line. I have to be a part of this,’” Bassinger said.
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While the future of an “ACOTAR” TV series remains unconfirmed for now, there are plenty of projects that contain expansive world-building. Check out our roundup of romance features actively seeking talent, and be sure to bookmark our main casting page for more opportunities.
Plus, learn how to audition for any current or future Hulu project, or, if you’re looking to get a major TV or film project immediately, peruse our current roundup of background gigs.
If you’re looking for more audition advice (particularly when it comes to getting cast on a beloved book-to-screen fantasy series), check out our guides:
