From Page to Screen: The Madness Continues for Madhouse

There is a real kind of electricity that hits an author when they realise their characters might soon have faces, voices, and a life beyond the printed page. For those who have been following the journey of my splatterpunk horror, Madhouse, you know that the road has been nothing short of a rollercoaster.

As we move through this year, I wanted to take a moment to circle back to some of the most exciting news in my writing career: the shopping agreement for Madhouse. While the ink has been dry on the contract for a while now, the momentum behind the scenes is still very much alive.

The Journey So Far

It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly a decade since I published Rise of the RAMs. Back then, if you had told me a film producer would finish Madhouse, "absolutely love it," and immediately reach out to secure the rights to pitch it to major studios and networks, I would have told you the chances were somewhere around zero.

But as the saying goes—and as Marillion so eloquently put it—"Happiness is the Road." The shopping agreement essentially gives our producer the green light to find the perfect home for this story, whether that’s a gritty limited series or a feature film. Even though the book is rooted in its atmospheric Scottish setting, the current vision involves adapting the story for a US audience. It’s a transition that opens up fascinating new avenues for the narrative's tension and psychological depth.

Dreaming in Technicolor: The Madhouse Dream Cast

One of the most frequent questions I get from readers is: “If you could cast a movie for one of your books, who would you pick?”

Since Madhouse is currently being "shopped" in the industry, I’ve had some time to indulge in a bit of fantasy casting. If I had a magic wand and a Hollywood budget, here is exactly how the staff and residents of the Madhouse would look:

The Faculty of Fear

• Dr Lavender: Kim. Without a second of hesitation, I would cast Kim. Her performance on the audiobook for Tantor was nothing short of legendary. She captured the "creepy as hell" essence of the characters so perfectly that she genuinely gave me nightmares. Seeing her bring that terrifying energy to Lavender on screen would be a masterclass in horror.
• Dr Rupert: Ethan Hawke. Ethan is one of the most authentic performers working today. He has this unique ability to balance vulnerability with a simmering sense of menace. (Though, if Ethan’s busy, Nestor Carbonell is a hauntingly close second—he has that Anthony Perkins vibe that fits the story’s DNA like a glove).
• Dr Razzle Dazzle: Freddie Highmore. After seeing him in Bates Motel, I know there isn't a complex psychological layer Freddie can’t peel back. He would absorb this role completely.

The Unforgettable Residents

• Mitzi: Samara Weaving. Samara is the queen of the "innocent-to-insane" pivot. Whether it's Ready or Not or The Babysitter, she has the range to make Mitzi both captivating and terrifying within the span of a single sentence.
• Miss T: Jessica Chastain. This role requires a powerhouse who can juggle strength, humour, and raw emotion. Jessica is a personal favourite because she "kills" every role she touches. She is exactly who I see when I think of Miss T’s resilience.
• Zack: Niles Fitch. Every story needs its hero, and Zack is the heart of Madhouse. Niles Fitch (from This Is Us) has a depth that is rare for a young actor. He has the "barrels of soul" needed to carry the emotional weight of the book.

What’s Next?

Whether a studio picks up the option or the clock runs out on the contract, the "buzz" of this journey has already been a gift. Madhouse continues to be the title in my catalogue that surprises me most—it simply refuses to sit still.

For those who haven't experienced the story yet—or for those who want to hear Kim’s "nightmare-inducing" portrayal of Mitzi before the potential movie arrives—I highly recommend grabbing the audiobook.

Thank you all for being part of this ride and stay tuned!