Many film fans will immediately think of Daniel Day-Lewis when the story “The Last of the Mohicans” is mentioned. The Oscar-winning actor starred in the 1992 film, which is one of many adaptations of James Fenimore Cooper’s classic historical novel. Now, 27 years after Day-Lewis worked on the film, Cary Fukunaga is ready to create his own version of the story, this time as a limited series.
Deadline is reporting that “The Last of the Mohicans” is being adapted as a new TV series co-written by Fukunaga and Nicholas Osborne and directed by TV veteran Nicole Kassell. The book, and its various adaptations, tell the story of Uncas, a Mohican, and Cora, the daughter of a British Colonel, who fall in love and form an unlikely romance.
“The clash of civilizations during the Seven Years War, which frames the story of ‘Last of the Mohicans,’ has been a long-time passion of mine,” said Fukunaga. “It was a world war before the term even existed. The opportunity to recreate the story’s strong-willed and free-thinking characters, with talents including Nick Osborne and Nicole Kassell, is incredibly exciting to me. Together with Paramount TV and Anonymous Content, we have the chance to revive the forgotten ancestors that define American identity today.”
“I am profoundly excited to be a part of this extraordinary team and to be bringing a new light and perspective to this period in our history,” Kassell said. “While the James Fenimore Cooper book and original film leave large shoes to fill, Nick and Cary’s script is a riveting read and fresh take. They embrace this incredible opportunity to show and explore characters so often marginalized. To echo a sentiment Nick expressed to me in our first conversation ‘certain stories are timeless vessels that allow different generations to look at it and explore them in different ways.’ To be a part of bringing these eyes and hearts to the screen is the opportunity of a lifetime for me.”
Readers of The Playlist are no doubt familiar with Fukunaga’s previous works. He rose to prominence as the director of the first season of “True Detective.” From there, he directed “Beasts of No Nation” and most recently, the Netflix series “Maniac.” He’s also just beginning production on the highly-anticipated “Bond 25,” which marks Daniel Craig’s final performance as the suave superspy, James Bond.
Kassell has previously worked on the high-profile HBO series “The Leftovers,” “Westworld,” “Vinyl,” and the upcoming “Watchmen.” She’s also helmed episodes of “The Americans,” “Better Call Saul,” “Rectify,” “American Crime,” and “Castle Rock.”
No word on when the series will arrive on TV screens.
