A Court of Thorns and Roses (“ACOTAR”) by Sarah J. Maas has a TV series adaptation in the works at Hulu. For all the details about this forthcoming series, here’s what we know about the A Court of Thorns and Roses Hulu TV series:
What’s it about? What’s the plot?
A Court of Thorns and Roses is the first book in an a epic fantasy romance series, involving retellings of fairy tales and faerie lore. The series currently has six planned books in total, with two additional novellas and other extra content as well.
A Court Of Thorns And Roses , described as a loose retelling of Beauty and the Beast, offers an epic narrative that blends romance, adventure, and political intrigue. Feyre is a human huntress who gets on the wrong side of the faeries when she kills a Fae in wolf form.
As a result of this act, a life for a life is demanded. Feyre ends up agreeing to be imprisoned in a faerie realm with a faerie lord, Tamlin, in return for her family’s safety. When she falls for Tamlin, it ultimately results in a fight for that love as an ancient curse threatens to destroy the faerie and human realms.
The first book in the series (A Court of Thorns and Roses) was originally published in May 2015.
What format will it be? Will the A Court of Thorns and Roses adaptation be a Movie or a Series?
It’s planned as a television series on Hulu. It looks like there are tentative plans to adapt the entire series into what will likely be multiple seasons.
Despite how long it’s been “in development”, in February 2024, Entertainment weekly confirmed with a source that it is “still in development despite recent reports of its cancellation.”
Who’s behind it?
The series in development at Hulu. The ACOTAR TV series is being co-adapted by Ron Moore and Maril Davis — the pair who adapted the Outlander book series for TV– along with author Sarah J. Maas. Maas will also serve as an executive producer for the show.
Author Sarah J. Maas
What’s the official status of the A Court of Thorns and Roses adaptation?
The adaptation is development as of February 2024.
On February 12, 2024, TVLine inaccurately reported that the show had been scrapped. Variety confirmed it, but then took it back. Instead, Entertainment Weekly confirmed with a source that as of February 2024, it’s still in development at Hulu. Variety then followed up with a source to clarify that while the project is still in development, it’s apparently not in “active development”. This means there aren’t hard plans or a timeline for getting the show made.
That’s a bit of a bummer for ACOTAR fans, but the books have been so popular that I’d be surprised if this show doesn’t happen at some point. Hopefully, we’ll be getting some better news soon.
As a more upbeat fun side note, the announcement about the project was actually initially leaked by accident by Josh Maas (Sarah J. Maas’s husband) over an Instagram photo of a sandwich — see the development timeline below for details & the photo!
Okay, but unofficially, what’s going on?
So, here we enter the realm of unsubstantiated rumors and speculation. There’s rumors of turmoil with Hulu, and there’s also rumors of a meeting between author and producer Sarah J. Maas with Margot Robbie.
In early February 2024, a reddit user named u/ACOTAR_spy posted some tea about the situation. Apparently, there’s been difficulty working with Hulu and there’s the possibility the show may be moving to another streamer. The gist of it is that Hulu is giving them tons of notes, there seems to be creative differences and the budget keeps getting cut. They keep saying they will green light the show, but end up not moving forward.
Here’s a screenshot of all the tea in case it gets taken down:
(Sara J. Maas mentioned on Instagram back in in June 2023 that she was moving from Los Angeles back to New York (screenshot), which resulted in speculation that it was because stuff with the show was starting to go sideways even then.)
Then, in late February 2024, a photo was posted on Twitter of Margot Robbie taking a meeting with someone who fans claim is author Sarah J. Maas. Is it true? Who knows.
It’s possible it’s her. It’s possible it’s not her. It’s possible it’s her and was just a meeting that will lead to nothing. The Instagram account @sjmaasupdates claims that it’s been confirmed by “a close friend” of SJM that it’s her. So I don’t know. Like I said, rumors and speculation.
(Follow up: someone else is saying that Sarah J Maas briefly had a photo of herself wearing the same sweater as above on her Instagram, but quickly took it down. If I’m able to find a screenshot, I’ll follow up here, but so far the person making this claim hasn’t shown any proof so this seems very iffy.)
Who’s in the cast?
No casting details have been released yet. Casting announcements generally doesn’t happen until a show is greenlit, and the show has not been greenlit yet.
See the full cast (when available) on IMDB.
When will it be released?
Currently unknown.
Is there a trailer or teaser available?
Not yet! Stay tuned.
A Court of Thorns and Roses Hulu TV Series Development Timeline
May 5, 2015 A Court of Thorns and Roses (novel) is released.
March 26, 2021 ‘A Court Of Thorns And Roses’ Series accidentally leaked by Josh Maas (Sarah J. Maas’s husband) via instagram — you can see the script labeled “TV adaptation notes” in the photo he posted of a sandwich below.
In response, Sarah J. Mass commented on her own Instagram (in a now-deleted post) “So, it’s official (and thank you, Josh, for accidentally spilling the beans!): Ron Moore (creator of Outlander and one of my creative idols) and I will co-adapt ACOTAR as a tv show for Hulu”
March 26, 2021 ‘A Court Of Thorns And Roses’ Series Based On Fantasy Books In Works At Hulu From Ron Moore & Sarah J. Maas
June 15, 2021 It appears some version of the script has been completed (in some form).
October 24, 2021 IMDBPro briefly listed the show as “filming” but this appears to have been an error, as confirmed by Executive producer Maril Davis via Twitter.
January 2022 Craig Erwich, President of Hulu Originals & ABC Entertainment, discussed the series during the Television Critics Association press tour.
Craig Erwich commented about the series: “The books are a great roadmap for what I think will be a very successful series. I haven’t read the material yet, although I’m very aware of a lot of the conversations going on with the show. Ron [co-writer of the screenplay] is truly one of the visionaries of that genre.”
August 2023 Talking with Maril Davis on Outlander’s 9th Anniversary (Executive Producer Maril Davis confirms that the ACOTAR show is still being worked on)
November 2, 2023 Hulu’s ACOTAR Series Is ‘Still in Development,’ Ronald D. Moore Says — But How Far Along Are They?
From Moore in Nov 2023: “It’s still in development. We’ve written some scripts, and we’re just sort of waiting. 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.”
February 12, 2024 Hulu’s A Court of Thorns and Roses TV adaptation is not dead
February 12, 2024 ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ TV Series Still in Development at Hulu For Now, Despite Report — But Future Is Murky
February 13, 2024 Unsubstantiated rumors about trouble at Hulu (see above)
February 27, 2024 Unsubstantiated rumors about author and producer Sarah J. Maas meeting with Margot Robbie (see above)
Will I be able to stream this series On Android tv? I loved the books and am looking forward to the series ifI can stream it.
it’ll be on hulu, so if you get hulu you should be able to watch it
Lynne
Can I watch this series when its on Hulu in The Netherlands? Because Hulu is not available outside the USA and I want to watch it so badly when its done. Only way to get Hulu here is using VPN but I don’t have that. I mean it is weird right that the international readers cannot legally watch this series?
I’m sure that when the show is released via Hulu, it will eventually be distributed to the international market under different distribution channels that serve your territory. That’s how shows usually make it to another region. Hope this response helps!
I SHOULD NOT have read this series, but it was good… had to skip over A LOT of parts though… I don’t think I’ll watch the series because I’m too young for that!
I mean I’m not sure what would be inappropriate but if you’re under the age of like 12 you should be reading anyways, it is YA for a reason
What is your source for the filming dates if I may ask?
I updated this post based an update on IMDBPro
It seems Hulu is just sitting on Acotar & A throne of glass, get of your ass or on sell it to
someone who will make it before I die of old age.
Ugh I’m so pissed that they gave up on TOG and are still holding the rights. Like if you aren’t gonna do it let someone else do it at least.
Is it really coming out as a series I really need to know
Please don’t add a bunch of needless Amarantha and Rhys (or anyone else) rape scenes. I am worried Ron Moore seems to like them, Outlander was ruined with them.
So true
I feel like a couple are necessary though, just to show the whole picture. Of course more than like two and a few brief flashbacks of her face or smth might be a little much, same with the whole Ianthe thing
Evangeline Lily ( Tauriel, Lord of the Rings would be an excellent Nestor And the guy who played Kili in Lord of the rings would be an excellent Cassian. They have that on screen chemistry the roles require.
I would really appreciate a book of rose and thrones
Nice information thanks for sharing…
Im gonna die if this doesn’t come out… either because of sheer sadness or old age if they don’t hurry up…
haha seriously
AMC did a phenomenal job with A Discovery of Witches. Maybe Sarah J Maas should take her books to them and tell HULU to go blow it. I would love to see this as a series .