HBO is developing a limited series inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 film The Birds and Daphne du Maurier’s original novella, with Sarah Snook attached to star and executive produce. The story follows a mother investigating a childhood friend’s disappearance as deadly bird attacks threaten her and her daughter.
Key Takeaways
- Sarah Snook is attached to play Myra Massey and executive produce the limited series.
- The plot combines a disappearance investigation with deadly bird attacks.
- Tom Spezialy wrote the pilot and will executive produce alongside David Heyman, Danny Samit, Jennifer Gabler Rawlings and Snook.
- HBO and Universal Global Television will co-produce the project.
- HBO has not announced a premiere date or additional cast members.
HBO Develops a New The Birds Limited Series
HBO’s The Birds project is in development as a limited series. It draws on Hitchcock’s film and the novella published by du Maurier in 1952, but introduces a new lead character and a disappearance mystery instead of recreating the original film’s plot.
The adaptation combines the source material’s unexplained bird attacks with a crime investigation and a mother’s efforts to keep her daughter safe.
HBO is also bringing other established films to television, including an eight-episode Crazy Rich Asians television series featuring returning members of the 2018 film’s cast. That series has been ordered, while The Birds remains in development.
HBO will co-produce The Birds with Universal Global Television. The underlying rights are controlled by Universal Pictures and the du Maurier estate.
Sarah Snook Takes the Lead as Myra Massey
Snook is attached to play Myra Massey and serve as an executive producer, bringing her back to HBO after four seasons as Shiv Roy on Succession. Her performance in that drama earned three Emmy nominations, including a win, as well as two Golden Globe awards.
She also starred in Peacock’s thriller All Her Fault, earning a 2026 Emmy nomination for playing a mother searching for her kidnapped son. The Birds gives her another lead role in a suspense-driven story, this time combining a disappearance mystery with violent bird attacks.
The Story Combines a Disappearance With Deadly Bird Attacks
Myra returns home with her young daughter as she tries to escape a bitter custody battle. Once there, she secretly investigates the suspicious disappearance of a childhood friend.
With a killer at large and personal threats mounting, Myra must confront vicious bird attacks that appear to be tied to the crime. HBO has not revealed how the attacks are connected to the disappearance, leaving that link at the heart of the mystery.
Family relationships have also been central to other recent horror stories. The horror film Other Mommy follows a girl who believes her mother has been replaced by a sinister supernatural creature. Although the plots differ, both stories place a family relationship at the center of the danger.
Hitchcock’s 1963 film focuses on a coastal community facing inexplicable bird attacks. The new series instead centers on a mother’s investigation, using the disappearance to connect the horror to her personal circumstances.
Tom Spezialy and David Heyman Join the Production Team
Tom Spezialy wrote the pilot and will serve as an executive producer. His previous HBO credits include Watchmen and The Leftovers.
David Heyman and Danny Samit are executive producing through Heyday Television. Heyman is also an executive producer on HBO’s forthcoming Harry Potter television series.
Jennifer Gabler Rawlings is also attached as an executive producer alongside Snook, completing the announced production team.
Additional casting, filming dates and a premiere date have not been announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sarah Snook starring in HBO’s The Birds series?
Yes. Snook is attached to star as Myra Massey and serve as an executive producer.
What is HBO’s new The Birds series about?
It follows Myra as she investigates a childhood friend’s disappearance while navigating a custody battle and protecting her daughter from deadly bird attacks.
Who is writing and executive producing the adaptation?
Tom Spezialy wrote the pilot and will executive produce. David Heyman, Danny Samit, Jennifer Gabler Rawlings and Sarah Snook are also attached as executive producers.
Is the series based on Alfred Hitchcock’s film?
The limited series is inspired by Hitchcock’s 1963 film and Daphne du Maurier’s 1952 novella, but it introduces a new central character and disappearance mystery.
Has HBO announced a release date for The Birds?
No. The project remains in development, and HBO has not confirmed a premiere date.
