Released originally in 1963, The Birds is up there with some of Alfred Hitchcock's most recognisable work.

The story, originally written by Daphne du Maurier, was adapted to take place in a sleepy town in California that becomes overcome with, well, birds. It starred Tippi Hedren, Veronica Cartwright, Jessica Tandy, Rod Taylor and featured some early special effects from Ub Iwerks, the famed Disney animator. The film is, rightfully, considered a masterpiece - so the BBC has a lot to live up to when it adapts into a TV series.

Digital Spy reports that the series will be adapted by Irish screenwriter / playwright Conor McPherson, who wrote I Went Down, The Actors and won a number of theatre awards for his plays. Not only that, McPherson adapted The Birds into a stage play for the Gate Theatre, which will likely form the basis of his screenplay. No director has been announced, nor has any of the casting been confirmed as of yet.

 

Via DS.co.uk