‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’ TV series in the works based on Ken Kesey’s book

A One Flew Over The Cuckoo‘s Nest TV series is in the works based on the book by Ken Kesey.

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The original story, which follows patients at a mental institution, was famously adapted into the acclaimed 1975 film starring Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher.

It has now been confirmed by original producer Saul Zaentz’s nephew Paul Zaentz that there are plans for a TV adaptation.

“Over the last 50 years, there have been hundreds of calls from studios, directors, and producers who want to remake the movie, and we would never allow it to be remade if they were just going to do it as [director] Miloš [Forman] made it,” he said at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (via The Hollywood Reporter). “It would be a dishonor.”

He then revealed that had made “an arrangement” with the family of Kesey – who penned the 1962 novel the film is based upon – to “possibly do a television series”.

It would be adapted from the book, and like the source material, it would be from the perspective of deaf-mute character Chief Bromden (portrayed by Will Sampson in the film).

“So the television series would be through his eyes,” he added, before teasing what story arc it would take.

“At the end of the first [season], the R.P. McMurphy, the Jack Nicholson, character would die,” he shared. “And then the second year would be what happens to the Chief after he escapes.”

One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest was directed by Forman and is one of the few films to have won all five major Oscars, including Best Picture.

The world of the film was revisited in 2020 Netflix series Ratched, which acts as a prequel focused on Nurse Ratched. Sarah Paulson takes on the role originally made famous by Fletcher, who won Best Actress for her portrayal of the villainous character.

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