Spec Script Deal: “Hellish Nell”

Studiocanal and The Picture Company acquire historical drama “Hellish Nell” written by Chris Basler. Via Deadline:

The Black List writer Chris Basler adapted Malcom Gaskill’s novel, which tells the story of Helen Duncan, a famous Scottish medium whose ability was put to the test and eventually became the last woman ever legally tried for witchcraft in 1933 in London.

Duncan, an enigmatic and polarizing figure in the world of mediums, was renowned for her ability to conjure spirits of the dead — specifically loved ones of grieving families. An ambitious researcher tired to debunk Duncan’s ability, leading to a harrowing experience for the medium and her family. Basler’s script will center on Duncan’s family drama with her husband and young children as she explored her supernatural faculties throughout her life.

The deal is described as a preemptive pickup.

I worked with Chris in the 2018 Black List feature writers lab and you can read his reflections on that experience here.

Chris is repped by Grandview.

By my count, this is the 27th spec script deal in 2021.

There were 18 spec script deals year-to-date in 2020.