Philip Barantini, Director of Netflix’s ‘Adolescence,’ Brings Hit Edinburgh Fringe Play ‘Eat The Rich’ to the Small Screen
Netflix in Talks to Adapt Edinburgh Play ‘Eat the Rich’
Streaming giant Netflix and director Philip Barantini, known for his work on the indie film Adolescence, are reportedly in discussions to turn Jade Franks’ acclaimed Edinburgh play Eat the Rich (But Maybe Not Me Mates X) into a television series.
The play, which draws inspiration from Franks’ experiences as a working-class student at Cambridge, garnered significant attention following its successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August. Sources indicate that Netflix emerged victorious in a bidding competition and is now initiating early-stage development for the adaptation.
Franks is set to adapt the play herself, following a precedent established by Richard Gadd, who successfully transitioned his one-man show into the Netflix series Baby Reindeer. Discussions between Franks and her agent at Independent Talent Group have reportedly been ongoing with producers in both the UK and the U.S. However, the project remains in its early phases, and there is no guarantee that it will make it to screen.
Eat the Rich (But Maybe Not Me Mates X) tells the story of Jade, a first-year university student from Liverpool, who navigates the challenges of Oxbridge privilege while balancing secret cleaning shifts. The play has received critical acclaim for its exploration of class, money, and belonging in the UK.
Produced by JFR Productions and directed by Tatenda Shamiso, the play has earned several accolades, including The Scotsman’s Fringe First Award, The Holden Street Theatres Award, and The Filipa Bragança Award. It is also set for a limited run at the Soho Theatre in London.
In addition to this project, Barantini is involved in another Netflix venture titled Hell Jumper, a feature adaptation of the award-winning BBC documentary.
If Eat the Rich successfully reaches the screen, it will continue a trend of Netflix productions adapted from notable plays that made waves at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
