VARIETY: ‘Mysterious Benedict Society’ Adaptation Nears Series Order at Hulu

Hulu is set to order a series version of Trenton Lee Stewart’s YA novels “The Mysterious Benedict Society,” Variety has learned.

The series is described as the tale of four gifted orphans who are recruited by an eccentric benefactor to go on a secret mission. Placed undercover at a boarding school known as The Institute, they must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications, while creating a new sort of family along the way.

Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay are adapting the series for television, with Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin set to serve as showrunners. Jamie Tarses, Karen Kehela Sherwood also executive producing. Sonar Entertainment developed the project and will serve as executive producers. 20th Century Fox Television is currently in negotiations to serve as the studio on the series.

GEEK DAD: Interview with ‘Mysterious Benedict Society’ Author Trent Stewart – Part II

In 2007, Trenton Lee Stewart introduced readers to The Mysterious Benedict Society, a tale of adventure and intrigue featuring four young heroes, each with unique gifts. A brilliant benefactor, Mr. Benedict, recruits the young protagonists for a mission to help save the world from a dastardly villain called Mr. Curtain, who is bent on controlling the world through a machine called the Whisperer that could manipulate the thoughts and memories of people.

Three books were published in The Mysterious Benedict Society series between 2007 – 2009, with a fourth novel, a prequel, released in 2012, and a few years later a companion book full of puzzles and riddles. Stewart recently announced a new novel, The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Riddle of Ages, to be released in the fall of 2019. Along with my daughter (Geek Young Lady), I had a chance to talk to author Trent Stewart about his popular series. Below is the second part of our interview. You can read Part I of the interview here.

GEEK DAD: Interview with ‘Mysterious Benedict Society’ Author Trent Stewart – Part I

In 2007, Trenton Lee Stewart introduced readers to The Mysterious Benedict Society, a tale of adventure and intrigue featuring four young heroes, each with unique gifts. A brilliant benefactor, Mr. Benedict, recruits the young protagonists for a mission to help save the world from a dastardly villain called Mr. Curtain, who is bent on controlling the planet through a machine called the Whisperer that could manipulate the thoughts and memories of people.

NPR's Backseat Book Club: 'Mysterious Benedict': Solve A Puzzle, Save The World

In The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart, four exceptional children wind up going on the adventure of a lifetime after answering a rather strange ad. The ad appears in a newspaper in a fictional place called Stonetown. It reads, "Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?"

Dozens of children answer the ad and try to conquer a series of mind-boggling tests. But only four are able to pass. All are orphans, and each is a genius in his or her own way.

Author Trenton Lee Stewart explains how these children come together to form a sort of pint-size Mod Squad. The character Reynie is "a remarkable problem solver," says Stewart. "He's got a quick and facile intelligence. He has a tendency to see things that other people miss."