Netflix orders series adaptation of Liz Moore’s bestselling novel The God of the Woods

Netflix is developing a television adaptation of Liz Moore’s bestselling novel The God of the Woods, with Moore and The Girl From Plainville creator Liz Hannah set to serve as co-showrunners, writers, and executive producers.

The hourlong drama, produced by Sony Pictures Television and Original Film, is based on Moore’s New York Times bestseller, a multigenerational mystery set in New York’s Adirondacks. The story centers on the powerful Van Laar family and the disappearance of 13-year-old Barbara Van Laar from her family’s summer camp, a case that reopens wounds from an earlier tragedy and exposes long-buried secrets tied to wealth, class, and influence.

The novel has drawn widespread attention since its release, earning praise from former US President Barack Obama, who named it one of his favorite books of the year, and appearing in Taylor Swift’s documentary The End of an Era, where the singer is seen listening to the audiobook.

In a joint statement, Hannah and Moore said they were eager to bring the novel to the screen, expressing hope that audiences would connect strongly with the characters and the moral complexities at the center of the story.

The project continues Sony Pictures Television’s collaboration with both Original Film and Moore. Moore previously adapted her novel Long Bright River for Peacock, a series that earned star Amanda Seyfried a Golden Globe nomination. Sony and Original Film also produced that adaptation.

Hannah’s credits include Mindhunter, The Post, and Hulu’s Emmy-winning limited series The Dropout, as well as the recent feature film Lee. Moore is also the author of Heft, The Unseen World, and The Words of Every Song, and currently directs the MFA program in creative writing at Temple University.

The adaptation adds to Netflix’s expanding slate of book-to-screen projects, as the streamer continues to invest heavily in literary properties following the success of series such as Bridgerton and The Queen’s Gambit.