Just because Martin Scorsese’s Boardwalk Empire is finishing up its run on HBO, doesn’t mean the prolific director is done with the small screen. On the contrary, Deadline is reporting that HBO is developing a series based on Scorsese’s film Shutter Island, and that Scorsese is expected to direct the pilot from a script by Dennis Lehane, who wrote the bestselling novel that inspired the film.
Tentatively titled Ashecliffe (which is also the name of the mental hospital from the film), the series would take place before the events of Shutter Island, focusing on “the past of hospital, and the secrets and misdeeds perpetrated by its founders who erected the hospital in the early 20th century and developed the methods of treatment used for the mentally ill.”
Paramount TV head Amy Powell apparently spearheaded the deal, bringing the idea to Scorsese and Shutter Island producer Brad Fischer, who in turn reached out to Lehane, who quickly jumped on board and began developing a script with Tom Bernardo. Scheduling may play a factor on whether or not Scorsese is able to get behind the camera for this one, but expect him to remain involved in some capacity.
ashecliffe dennis lehane hbo martin scorsese shutter island