Swift’s ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ Is Getting a New, Modernized Adaptation for TV

Jonathan Swift’s iconic story Gulliver’s Travels is being reinvented for television in a six-part series called The Gullivers, Variety reports. This fresh take is crafted by Emmy and BAFTA-winning writer Tom Bidwell, known for Watership Down. The project is a collaboration between Moonriver TV and Federation Studios, with producers Xavier Marchand, Casey Herbert, and Leo Becker leading the effort.
This upcoming fantasy adventure is being developed for a major European broadcaster. Moonriver recently produced Nautilus, inspired by Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.
That series is streaming in various countries and awaiting its US debut. Federation Studios has also brought Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days to screens, showcasing their expertise in adapting literary classics.
Bidwell’s version of Gulliver’s Travels shifts the focus to Lemuel Gulliver’s modern-day family. The story follows Gulliver’s wife and children as they embark on a dangerous journey together.
Bidwell said, ‘Few works of fiction have impacted storytelling and culture like Swift’s masterpiece. It’s a story I’ve long wanted to adapt but always found daunting. Moonriver and Federation’s experience gave me the confidence to tackle this project.’
According to Marchand, The Gullivers will be packed with action, imaginative worlds, and thrilling adventures to engage audiences of all ages. Becker added that this is the perfect opportunity to reintroduce Swift’s story to a new generation, with a fresh perspective that feels more relevant now than ever.
The series combines the creative strength of Moonriver and Federation Studios, known for their work on titles like A Gentleman in Moscow, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, and The Bureau. Bidwell’s unique vision and their shared expertise promise to deliver a bold reimagining of this timeless classic.
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