Peacock cancels adaptation of award-winning fantasy book years into development

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(Image credit: NBCUniversal/Peacock)

Peacock has scrapped its adaptation of an award-winning fantasy book that spent years in development. The show was set to focus on the first novel in the Green Bone Saga, titled Jade City. News of the adaptation broke back in 2020. 

"Sad to share that after years in development, Peacock has decided not to move forward with the TV show of Jade City," book author Fonda Lee shared on Twitter. "It's a big disappointment. But we're looking for a new home for the project, and I have faith someone else will share the vision of the Kaul family onscreen."

Jade City has won the World Fantasy and the Aurora Award, and was nominated for Nebula, Dragon, Ignyte, and Locus Awards. The book revolves around the mineral jade, which gives the warriors who wear it special capabilities. Jade can only be found on an island named Kekon, which the Kaul crime syndicate family partly controls. Lee has described the book as "a gangster family saga set in a modern era Asia-inspired fantasy metropolis where rival clans vie for control of territory, business, and magical jade that endows those who wear it with superhuman martial arts powers."

No reason has been given for the cancellation. Treadstone executive producer Dave Kalstein, The Expanse director Breck Eisner, and The Brave executive producer and creator Dean Georgaris were adapting the novel and were set to serve as executive producers. Kalstein was also writing the series, with Eisner directing. 

Time will tell if Lee's story finds a new home and finally makes it to screen. In the meantime, check out our guide to the best Netflix shows streaming now to fill out your watchlist. 

Molly Edwards
Entertainment Writer

I'm an Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, covering all things film and TV for the site's Total Film and SFX sections. I previously worked on the Disney magazines team at Immediate Media, and also wrote on the CBeebies, MEGA!, and Star Wars Galaxy titles after graduating with a BA in English.