A24 to Adapt Patrick Radden Keefe’s ‘London Falling’ Into TV Series
A24 is expanding its television footprint in the U.K., securing the rights to adapt “London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family’s Search for Truth,” the latest investigative work from acclaimed author Patrick Radden Keefe. The project, developed by A24’s U.K. Outpost, will transform a gripping true story of deception and tragedy into a scripted series.
A Double Life in the Heart of London
The series is based on the true story of Zac Brettler, a London teenager who died under mysterious circumstances in 2019. Following his death, Brettler’s parents made a shocking discovery: their son had been living a sophisticated double life, posing as the billionaire son of a Russian oligarch.
As his parents sought to uncover the truth about who their son really was and how he died, they were drawn into the “dark underworld” that exists beneath the glittering surface of London. The narrative explores a city of posh mansions and private nightclubs where aspirational fantasies are often funded by corruption and dirty money, as detailed in the book’s description.
From the New Yorker to the Little Screen
Patrick Radden Keefe, known for high-profile works such as Say Nothing and Empire of Pain, first began reporting this story for The New Yorker in 2024. The immense interest generated by the original article led to the expansion of the story into a full-length book, published by Doubleday and Pan Macmillan, with a release date of April 7, 2026. According to Variety, the TV rights were acquired in a competitive bidding process.
Keefe will serve as an executive producer on the series, and the Brettler family is actively involved in the production to ensure the story is told accurately.
A24’s Growing UK Portfolio
The acquisition of London Falling is part of a strategic push by A24 UK, led by Piers Wenger and Rose Garnett. This project marks the second London-based initiative the studio has landed recently, following Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s We Are The Dead.
A24’s current development slate is aggressive, featuring several high-profile projects including:
- The Snakehead: Another Patrick Radden Keefe adaptation, described as a blend of The Godfather and Chinatown.
- The Husbands: An Apple TV project starring Juno Temple.
- First Day on Earth: A BBC and HBO series from Michaela Coel.
- Major Players: A Channel 4 soccer drama from Molly Manning Walker.
Key Takeaways: ‘London Falling’ Adaptation
- The Plot: A true-crime investigation into Zac Brettler, a teen who posed as a Russian oligarch’s son before his mysterious 2019 death.
- The Production: Developed by A24 UK; Patrick Radden Keefe will executive produce.
- Source Material: Based on the book publishing April 7, 2026, which originated as a New Yorker article.
- Family Involvement: The Brettler family is collaborating on the upcoming series.
Looking Ahead
With the book hitting shelves on April 7, the industry will be watching closely to see how A24 translates Keefe’s meticulous investigative reporting into a visual medium. Given A24’s track record for atmospheric storytelling, London Falling is positioned to be a definitive look at the intersection of wealth, fraud, and grief in modern London.
Worth a look