The adaptation of “Lisey’s Story” by Pablo Larrain for Apple TV+ has been met with mixed feelings. Penned by Stephen King, the series closely hews to the complexities of its literary counterpart. Julianne Moore stands out with her portrayal of Lisey, and the sense of peculiarity that’s intrinsic to King’s work is palpable throughout. The miniseries delves into themes of narrative and existence in a manner akin to attempting to capture the essence of the ineffable.
The impetus for King’s decision to finally translate his deeply personal narrative into a television series came after he viewed “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.” King expressed to Entertainment Weekly that it was the screenplay that particularly caught his eye, saying:
“I saw this thing on FX [The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story] that was about the fashion designer Versace and about the man who killed him. And I had not really thought about getting involved with ‘Lisey’ at that point or tackling it as a TV project, but I looked at that thing, and I said to myself, my goodness, this guy, Tom Rob Smith, wrote the whole thing. He wrote all eight or nine episodes, and I thought, well, if he could do that and bring it home and do such a great job, what about Lisey? And I sat down, and I started, and I showed the scripts to Ben Stephenson at Bad Robot one by one, and he was very encouraging.”
The author further noted the storytelling prospects provided by streaming services where programmes can explore “a little more nuance,” thanks to series formats that offer expanded narrative space.
FAQ about Stephen King’s Adaptation of ‘Lisey’s Story’
1. What inspired Stephen King to adapt ‘Lisey’s Story’ into a miniseries?
Stephen King was inspired after watching ‘The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story,’ particularly impressed with Tom Rob Smith’s ability to write the entire series.
2. Which streaming platform features ‘Lisey’s Story’?
‘Lisey’s Story’ is available on Apple TV+.
3. What makes Larrain’s adaptation of ‘Lisey’s Story’ stand out?
Larrain’s adaptation is notable for its fidelity to the source material and Julianne Moore’s portrayal of the titular character.
4. Who encouraged Stephen King during the writing process of ‘Lisey’s Story’?
Ben Stephenson at Bad Robot provided encouragement as King penned the scripts for the series.
5. How does the streaming series format benefit the adaptation of ‘Lisey’s Story’?
The series format on streaming platforms like Apple TV+ allows for a deeper exploration of nuanced storytelling, according to King.
Conclusion
The journey of ‘Lisey’s Story’ from page to screen underscores the impacts of contemporary storytelling mediums and the influence of other works on prolific authors like Stephen King. The miniseries pays homage to King’s most personal work while setting forth an intriguing approach to narrative and character exploration made possible through long-form television. Though reactions are mixed, the adaptation is an exemplar of the potential and challenges in bringing complex literary works to a visual medium.