Amazon MGM Studios is bringing one of the most enduring characters in crime fiction to the screen, securing the rights to all 41 novels in Jonathan Kellerman's bestselling Alex Delaware series.
From Page to Prime Video: A Long-Awaited Adaptation
The studio has announced development on a new psychological thriller series based on the iconic books, which first launched in 1985. The project will begin by adapting the very first novel, When the Bough Breaks. This marks the latest attempt to translate Kellerman's work for television, following a previous effort over a decade ago by producer Jerry Bruckheimer and writer Pam Veasey.
Screenwriter and executive producer Jennifer Johnson, known for her adaptation of Esi Edugyan's Washington Black for Hulu, has been tasked with bringing the complex world of Alex Delaware to life. The series is currently in the early stages, so casting details for the lead roles remain under wraps.
Inside the 'Disturbing' World of Alex Delaware
The novels centre on Dr. Alex Delaware, a brilliant but often reluctant child psychologist in Los Angeles. He is frequently drawn into gruesome police investigations by his friend, the tenacious LAPD homicide detective Milo Sturgis. Together, they unravel deeply disturbing murders by delving into the psychological motives and hidden histories of both victims and perpetrators.
The debut story, When the Bough Breaks, sees Delaware attempting to help a seven-year-old girl named Melody Quinn, who may have witnessed the brutal murder of an eccentric psychiatrist. His investigation pulls him into a chilling, decades-old conspiracy that seems to connect to his own past.
A 'Riveting' Legacy with 40 Sequels
Kellerman's series has maintained a powerful grip on readers for nearly four decades. Fans on platforms like Goodreads have praised the first book as "riveting" and "masterfully written," with a "well-crafted" plot full of twists that keeps readers hooked from the first page. The sheer volume of material—40 sequels and counting—offers Amazon MGM a vast universe to explore should the initial adaptation prove successful.
The most recent Delaware novel, Open Season, was published last year, and the 41st instalment, Jigsaw, is scheduled for release in February. The immediate sequels to the first book are Blood Test and Over the Edge.
While no release date has been set for the Alex Delaware television series, it is expected to stream globally on Prime Video. This move signifies Amazon MGM's continued investment in building its slate of premium, character-driven thriller content.
