British historian and author Dan Jones has signed an exclusive deal with Sony Pictures Television to develop TV drama adaptations of his books through Sony companies including Left Bank Pictures and Eleven, Deadline reported. Jones's titles, which have sold more than a million copies around the world, include The Plantagenets and The Templars. He also worked with artist Marina Amaral on the The Colour of Time: A New History of the World, 1850-1960.
Deadline noted that Jones "is a fixture on British television, hosting more than 60 hours of documentaries, not least the Netflix/Channel 5 series Secrets of Great British Castles." In addition to adapting his books, Jones will consult with Sony Pictures TV's international producers, providing historical context and expertise to other productions.
"Dan has written some of the most popular histories of our time," said Wayne Garvie, Sony's president of international production. "He has a terrific slate of future projects and our great range of companies are the perfect companions to bring his ideas to the screen."
Jones added: "In a world rocked by massive global change there has never been a better time to make sense of it through history's greatest stories. I have always written my books with a cinematic sensibility, so I'm delighted to have made a deal with Sony Pictures Television to develop my stories old and new for the screen."