The Queen’s Gambit is being adapted into a musical… as Netflix hit continues to dominate during awards season
The Queen’s Gambit was one of 2020’s most talked about series, earning huge streaming numbers and rave reviews.
And now the Netflix chess drama is heading to Broadway, courtesy of production company Level Forward.
Level Forward has obtained the rights to the Walter Tevis novel the awards-winning show was based on and is now developing a musical adaptation of the Anya Taylor-Joy-fronted limited series.
Music to my ears: The Queen’s Gambit is being adapted into a musical by Level Forward production company, which just acquired the rights to the book the series is based off of
The company has a history on hits on stage, previously working on Alanis Morrissette’s musical Jagged Little Pill and Jeremy O’Harris’ critically-acclaimed Slave Play.
The Queen’s Gambit can surely bank on a built-in audience, boasting the title of Netflix’s most watched limited series in November 2020.
And the show has been sweeping up during awards season, already taking home top limited series honors at the Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Awards.
Leading lady Taylor-Joy, who plays an orphan named Beth Harmon who becomes a chess prodigy in the seven-episode show, also won the Best Actress In A Limited Series award at the Globes and CCAs.
Track record: The company has a history on hits on stage, previously working on Alanis Morrissette’s musical Jagged Little Pill (above)
Stage presence: Level Forward also worked on Jeremy O’Harris’ critically-acclaimed Slave Play (above)
And Level Forward’s CEO Adrienne Becker and producer Julia Dunetz seemed thrilled at the opportunity to take on the story.
In a statement they said: ‘It is a privilege for Level Forward to lead the charge of bringing The Queen’s Gambit to the stage through the beloved and enduring craft of musical theater.
‘Told through a brave and fresh point of view, audiences are already sharing in the friendship and fortitude of the story’s inspiring women who energize and sustain Beth Harmon’s journey and ultimate triumph.
‘The story is a siren call amidst our contemporary struggles for gender and racial equity, and we’re looking forward to moving the project forward.’
Winner: Leading lady Taylor-Joy, who plays an orphan named Beth Harmon who becomes a chess prodigy in the seven-episode show, also won the Best Actress In A Limited Series award at the Globes and CCAs
The Queen’s Gambit is looking like a front-runner as April’s Screen Actors Guild Awards draw near.
Anya is nominated for Outstanding Performance By A Female Actor In A Television Movie Or Limited Series, competing against Cate Blanchett (Mrs. America), Michaela Coel (I May Destroy You), Nicole Kidman (The Undoing), and Kerry Washington (Little Fires Everywhere.)
Co-star Bill Camp – who plays custodian Mr. Shaibel, the man who teaches Beth to play chess – is also up for Outstanding Performance By A Male Actor In A Television Movie Or Limited Series.
The Queen’s Gambit is available to stream on Netflix now.