Good steps

Benedict Cumberbatch to star in series based on John Buchan’s novel

Actor Benedict Cumberbatch is set to star in Netflix’s limited series The 39 Steps, which is based on the 1915 John Buchan novel. The series will be helmed by Edward Berger and is penned by Mark L. Smith.

Reportedly, the series will have six or more hour-long episodes, most likely to shoot next year in Europe. The series marks the reunion of Cumberbatch and Berger, who last worked together on Showtime’s 2018 mini-series Patrick Melrose.

Further, The 39 Steps is a provocative, action-packed conspiracy thriller series that updates the classic novel for relevance in contemporary times. It revolves around an ordinary man, Richard Hannay, who becomes an unwitting pawn in a vast, global conspiracy to reset the world order in 39 Steps with only Hannay standing in the way. It is also being reported that Cumberbatch will serve as executive producer with Adam Ackland under their Sunny March banner.