The pirate fantasy novel Tempest,written by Victoria Aveyard, is entering television development with Chernin Entertainment. This news arrives as the author's previous major property, Red Queen, remains stuck in a multi-year development cycle at Peacock.
The 2015 Red Queen pattern repeats for Tempest
The momentum behind Tempest follows a trajectory similar to Victoria Aveyard’s debut, Red Queen.. As the report notes, the Red Queen adaptation was announced just three months after its 2015 publication, only to enter a state of perpetual development. This historical parallel suggests that while early interest is a positive sign, it does not guarantee a swift path to the screen.
Aveyard's massive commercial success—with over 8 million copies sold in 43 languages—makes her a high-value target for studios, yet the long delay for her previous work serves as a cautionary tale. While Aveyard has expanded the Red Queen universe into a six-book saga including prequels and short stories, she has indicated she has no plans to extend the series further.. This makes the success of the Tempest adaptation even more crucial for her continued presence in the television landscape.
Chernin Entertainment's July acquisition of the Lyrian Sea duology
Chernin Entertainment, the production company behind Backrooms and Chief of War, secured the rights to Tempest in July, two months before the novel's September 8 release.. Originally written as a 300,000-word standalone historical epic, the story has since been expanded into the first half of a duology. The sequel, Tyrant, is currently expected to arrive in September 2027.
The narrative centers on a high-stakes conflict where a noblewoman-turned-pirate queen is forced into a confrontation with her former lover, providing a character-driven hook for a potential series.. This marks a significant genre shift for Aveyard, moving from the dystopian themes of her earlier work into the realm of adult fantasy.
Elizabeth Banks and Peacock's decade-long Red Queen stalemate
The Red Queen adaptation has spent a decade in a state of flux, transitioning from a Universal Pictures film to a Peacock television series in 2021. Initially, Elizabeth Banks was attached to the project as a director, producer, and cast member, with Breaking Bad writer Gennifer Hutchinson tasked with the screenplay. Following the pivot to television, Beth Schwartz was brought on to co-write the teleplay alongside Aveyard.
Despite the stagnation, Aveyard remains optimistic. In a July Substack post , she expressed her love for the vision being crafted for the screen and promised that more news is forthcoming, even as the official Peacock updates have dried up. However, as reported, Peacock has yet to share any new casting announcements or a definitive release timeline for the near-future dystopia.
Who will host Aveyard's pirate queen on screen?
Despite the new development, several critical questions remain unanswered regarding the Tempest series. Chernin Entertainment has not yet announced a creative team, a cast, or a specific release date for the production. Furthermore, it is currently unknown whether the adaptation will cover the entirety of the Lyrian Sea duology or focus exclusively on the first book. Most importantly, the project still lacks a confirmed streaming partner to host the series, leaving the future of Aveyard's pirate queen unanchored.
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