Australian producer Bruna Papandrea’s Made Up Stories is set to adapt bestselling author J.P. Pomare’s novel “17 Years Later” for television, with acclaimed director John Polson and veteran showrunner Pam Veasey attached to lead the project.
The crime thriller, published in 2024, follows the chilling aftermath of the Primrose family murders in the small New Zealand town of Cambridge. Seventeen years after the family’s young chef is convicted of the crime, a prison psychologist and a true-crime podcaster reopen the case, only to uncover a dangerous web of secrets that blurs the line between justice and obsession.
Polson will direct and executive produce the series, while Veasey will serve as writer, showrunner, and executive producer. Papandrea will executive produce alongside Steve Hutensky, Casey Haver, and Katie Amos for Made Up Stories. The project reunites Papandrea with both Polson and Veasey, following previous collaborations on “The Last Anniversary” and “Long, Slow Exhale,” respectively.
“I’m absolutely thrilled that ’17 Years Later’ has found a home with Made Up Stories,” said Pomare. “I’ve long admired Bruna Papandrea, and I’m particularly excited to have Pam Veasey attached given her immense contribution to the industry over three decades.”
Made Up Stories praised Pomare’s storytelling, saying in a statement: “He’s one of those extraordinary writers who can create beautiful and complex characters, and wrap them up in a breathlessly suspenseful crime thriller. It’s so rare and thrilling to come across something that had us guessing and gasping until the very end. To partner again with Pam and John is just a dream—we can’t wait for this team to bring ’17 Years Later’ to life.”
The series will be set in the United States, expanding on Pomare’s reputation for crafting psychologically rich mysteries. His previous work, “In the Clearing,” was adapted by Disney+ as “The Clearing,” while “The Last Guests” is currently being developed into a limited series for Stan.
Veasey, known for “CSI: NY,” “L.A.’s Finest,” and “Long, Slow Exhale,” has been a trailblazer for women in television, serving as an executive producer and showrunner across multiple genres. Polson, meanwhile, has built an extensive directing career spanning “The Mentalist,” “Elementary,” and “Law & Order: Organised Crime,” alongside his early film successes “Swimfan” and “Hide and Seek”. He most recently directed “The Last Anniversary” for Made Up Stories, AMC Plus, and BBC One.
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Founded in 2017, Made Up Stories has produced an impressive slate of internationally acclaimed projects, including “Big Little Lies,” “Nine Perfect Strangers,” “The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart,” “The Undoing,” and “The Dry”. The company continues to build on its reputation for championing distinctive, character-driven storytelling led by diverse creative voices.