Netflix has handed a pilot order to a new television adaptation of Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging, based on the young adult novels written by Louise Rennison. The series will mark the second screen adaptation of the books, following the 2008 film that helped launch Taylor-Johnson's career.
The story follows fourteen-year-old Georgia Nicolson as she navigates the trials of being a teenager — from obsessing over her appearance and surviving school to maintaining her social standing among friends. Her world is upended by the arrival of a handsome new boy, Robbie, whom she instantly decides is the love of her life, only to find he seems more interested in other girls. Georgia's efforts to win him over lead her through jealous friends, embarrassing family moments, disastrous dates, school gossip, and a habit of turning small problems into full-blown catastrophes, often while trying — and failing — to appear more sophisticated than she is.
The original film starred Taylor-Johnson as the love interest, alongside Georgia Groome, Georgia Henshaw, Manjeeven Grewal, Alan Davies, Eleanor Tomlinson, and Kimberley Nixon. Its screenplay was written by Gurinder Chadha, known for Bend It Like Beckham, and the film went on to become a cult classic despite a modest initial reception.
For the new Netflix adaptation, Monica Heisey is writing the series, with Jim O'Hanlon, known for Fackham Hall, directing. UK casting director Rachel Sheridan, whose credits include Amandaland and One Day, put out a casting call seeking new and fresh talent for the project. The call generated significant buzz on social media and drew so many submissions that it was closed earlier than planned. All applicants were required to be over 18 due to the show's mature themes and working hours.
Sheridan addressed the response in a statement: "We have been genuinely overwhelmed (in the best way) by how many of you have applied… Because we have now received so many brilliant submissions, we sadly have to close applications earlier than planned, so we can give everyone who has already applied the time and attention they deserve."
No release date has been set for the series, which the source refers to as Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging.
Photo: ManoSolo13241324, CC0, http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en, via Wikimedia Commons
