2024
‘The Tea House on the Death Pass’, Novel Based on True Story of Hikers Trapped in the Himalayas, Being Adapted for TV by Paramount’s Ananey & ZDF Studios
By Stewart Clarke, Published on Deadline | Oct 15, 2024
EXCLUSIVE: A drama adaptation of ‘The Tea House on the Death Pass’ – Daniel Edelson’s novel based on the true story of hundreds of hikers who became trapped while trekking in the Himalayas – is in the works. ZDF Studios and Paramount’s Ananey Studios are joining forces to co-produce.
Euphoria creator Ron Leshem, Amit Cohen and Edelson have created the series. It is based on Edelson’s debut novel and the events that took place in October 2014 in Nepal’s Himalayan Mountains.
The story turns on events that see hundreds of hikers become trapped on the Annapurna Range after snowstorms and avalanches turn one of the most breathtaking hiking trails in the world into a death trap. The hikers, from dozens of nations, find themselves fighting for their lives, totally dependent on each other. They must make life-and-death decisions and face moral dilemmas as moments of heroism give rise to the inspiring rescue efforts.
Author, journalist and screenwriter Edelson’s 2019 book was based on his experience covering the avalanche in Nepal in 2014. The real-life event was headline news, with scores of people losing their lives in Nepal’s worst-ever trekking disaster. News organizations around the world rushed to cover the story of the hikers, who were trapped as supplies dwindled and rescuers struggled to reach them.
Ananey and ZDF Studios will work the project up as a multi-season drama. The pair will produce together, and ZDF Studios will handle international sales through its long-established distribution division.
Known for HBO’s Euphoria, Leshem is also the co-creator and writer, along with Cohen, of Hulu’s No Man’s Land and Max’s Valley of Tears and is the writer of the Academy Award-nominated film Beaufort. Cohen is writer of Hulu’s False Flag and and co-creator and exec producer on Apple TV+ series Suspicion and NBC’s adaptation of Allegiance.
Yuliya Fischer, Director Drama, ZDF Studios said the project has powerhouse writing talent and will firmly be in the realms of premium drama. “This incredible story has multiple themes running through it: courage, death, resilience, love, fear and the human instinct to survive against all odds. A drama that will tug on the heartstrings as well as applaud the bravery and resourcefulness of the people who defied the elements.”
Hila Pachter, VP International Relations, Ananey Paramount noted ZDF Studios international drama track record and added: “The Tea House on the Death Pass is a unique project that combines cinematic storytelling, nail-biting suspense, and true-life drama, and we are excited to collaborate on delivering this gripping story to audiences worldwide.”
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