Fay Weldon’s Supernatural Novel Puffball is Coming to TV After 20 Years Since the Film Adaptation Starring Kelly Reilly and Donald Sutherland
New Adaptation of Fay Weldon’s "Puffball" in Development for Television
A small-screen adaptation of Fay Weldon’s supernatural novel Puffball, which was previously adapted into a film nearly 20 years ago, is currently in the works. The original 2007 movie was directed by Nicolas Roeg and featured Kelly Reilly and Donald Sutherland in lead roles.
Puffball tells the story of Liffey and Richard, a young couple from London who relocate to the countryside with hopes of starting a family. Their neighbors, Mabs and Tucker, are a farming couple with five children. The plot thickens when Mabs, envious of Liffey’s seemingly easy life, orchestrates a scheme involving herbal aphrodisiacs to manipulate Tucker into sleeping with Liffey while Richard is away. Tensions rise when Liffey becomes pregnant, leaving Mabs in despair as she discovers her own inability to conceive.
Weldon, who passed away in 2023, was a renowned British author with a prolific career, having published over 30 novels. Notable works include The Life and Loves of a She-Devil, which inspired an American film featuring Meryl Streep and Roseanne Barr, along with a BBC series.
The new television adaptation of Puffball, produced by Firebird, is still seeking a network and has yet to finalize casting. However, writer Lloyd Malcolm, recognized for her Olivier Award-winning play Emilia, has joined the project. She was also credited with the Netflix thriller Obsession, which starred Richard Armitage, and the psychological film The Wasp featuring Naomie Harris and Natalie Dormer. Obsession drew inspiration from Josephine Hart’s 1991 novel.
Firebird, supported by BBC Studios, has recently produced Nicôle Lecky’s Wild Cherry for the BBC and is currently working on Wahala, which recently cast a diverse ensemble including Cush Jumbo and Deborah Ayorinde.
