Netflix is expanding its lineup of literary adaptations with a series order for God of the Woods, based on the bestselling novel by author Liz Moore. Announced Thursday, the project will bring the multi-generational mystery drama to the screen in partnership with Sony.
Moore will serve as co–showrunner alongside Liz Hannah, best known for her work on The Dropout and Long Shot. The pair will also write and executive produce the series, marking Moore’s first time guiding an adaptation of her own fiction for television.
A Dark Family Mystery Set in the Adirondacks
God of the Woods traces the disappearance of a 13-year-old girl from an elite family’s summer camp in the Adirondack Mountains. The novel, published in 2024, unfolds across decades as truths about family loyalty, privilege, trauma and secrecy gradually surface.
The adaptation will retain the story’s expansive timeline and focus on the interconnected lives of generations who are haunted by the disappearance. Netflix describes the project as a “layered, character-driven mystery that reveals how past actions shape the present.”
Moore and Hannah Lead Creative Vision
In a joint statement, Moore and Hannah expressed excitement for the project.
“We love making TV and can’t wait to bring The God of the Woods to life with our partners at Sony and Netflix,” they said. “We hope everyone falls in love (and hate) with these characters as much as we have.”
The creative pairing builds on a growing trend of female-led showrunning partnerships adapting crime and literary thrillers for streaming audiences.
Casting and Release Date Still Under Wraps
Netflix has not yet announced cast or premiere timing for the series. Production details and filming locations are also unconfirmed, though the story’s backdrop suggests potential shoots in forested Northeast regions to match the novel’s atmosphere.
Industry observers note that the series could attract major talent given the success of Moore’s previous adaptation. Earlier this year, her book Long Bright River was adapted into a Peacock series starring Amanda Seyfried and Ashleigh Cummings.
With the popularity of twist-driven dramas such as Mare of Easttown, True Detective and Sharp Objects, Netflix’s latest literary mystery may strengthen its competitive investment in adult prestige series.
Streaming Continues Shift Toward Author-Led Adaptations
Unlike several recent book-to-screen projects, Moore will be guiding the creative development process firsthand—an approach streaming platforms increasingly embrace to satisfy “book faithful” audiences seeking authentic interpretations.
By pairing Moore’s narrative voice with Hannah’s television experience, God of the Woods positions itself to balance prestige storytelling with audience-friendly pacing.
As anticipation builds around casting and scheduling news, Netflix continues expanding its portfolio of psychological thrillers rooted in family secrets, small-community intrigue and long-buried trauma.
