Starz adapting Gregory books as series

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BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Sept. 4 (UPI) -- U.S. cable television network Starz says it is adapting Philippa Gregory's three-book "The Cousins War" series as a small-screen drama.

The 10-episode show "The White Queen" will star Max Irons as 15th century British King Edward IV. It is to debut on Starz next year. The cast also includes James Frain, Rebecca Ferguson, Amanda Hale and Janet McTeer.

Set against the backdrop of England's Wars of the Roses, the series will be based on Gregory's historical novels "The White Queen," "The Red Queen" and "The Kingmaker's Daughter."

"Phillipa Gregory's novels have become runaway best sellers with passionate fans the world over, making this a project ripe for re-imagining," Carmi Zlotnik, the network's managing director of original programming, said in a statement. "The period of England's Wars of the Roses makes for a sensational historical backdrop as a time fraught with violence, mystery and intrigue. We are excited to be working with an incredibly talented team, both in front and behind the camera, that is taking on such an ambitious project and bringing this riveting story to life."

Starz said it has secured all U.S. domestic and worldwide multi-platform distribution rights to "The White Queen" from ALL3Media International. Starz retains all global rights, with the exception of television rights in the United Kingdom, where the series will air on BBC One, and some TV/home video rights in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.