Televisa USA has tapped Thania St. John, the prolific TV producer and writer behind many successful and widely acclaimed series, to pen the television adaptation of Rices best-selling The Sleeping Beauty series of erotic novels. Chris Philip, head of Global Production and Distribution, and Ryan Likes, COO, for Televisa USA, made the announcement last week. World famous author Anne Rice is executive producing the series in partnership with Academy Award nominated executive producer Rachel Winter (Dallas Buyers Club and the untitled LeBron James bio pic); prolific TV-film-digital producer and Endemol North America Co-Chairman-CEO Charlie Corwin (Oscar-nominated films Half Nelson, The Squid and the Whale); and former CAA motion picture literary agent-turned-producer Jessica Matthews. St. John, whose numerous writing credits include Chicago Fire and Grimm (NBC), and Drop Dead Diva (Lifetime), will draft the script for the series. Televisa USA acquired the English-language television and digital rights to the erotic novels from Rice in September 2014. The books are elegantly written, but with steamy, hot and very detailed sex scenes. The story follows a beautiful young princess who is awakened from her long sleep, but in a much more provocative way than the traditional fairytale. And thats where her journey to find herself begins. Said Rice, Thanias voice resonates perfectly and will keep this story true to my original vision of this erotic, romantic and fun tale of dominance and submission. Thania is the obvious choice to translate Annes brilliant works to television. She knows how to write for women and tell this compelling story, which couldnt happen at a better time, Philip said.Added Likes, Interest in this project is extremely high and, with Thania on board, we expect to be out in the marketplace with The Sleeping Beauty TV series within the next few months.
The 11th Annual Hispanic Television Summit will be held this Wednesday Oct 2nd in NY
