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'The Leftovers' will become an HBO series

The TV adaptation of Tom Perrotta's novel has received a series order from HBO.

'The Leftovers' is by Tom Perrotta.
  • By Molly Driscoll Staff Writer

It's now official: Tom Perrotta’s novel “The Leftovers” will become a series from HBO.

“Lost” co-creator Damon Lindelof is behind the TV adaptation, which has received a series order (10 episodes). The pilot for the show was written by Lindelof and Perrotta and actor Justin Theroux is reportedly on board to star as protagonist Kevin Garvey. 

“Leftovers” takes place in a world where something like the Rapture has occurred, with a hundred people from the small town of Mapleton having abruptly vanished. Garvey, who is the police chief of the town in the TV series, according to the Hollywood Reporter (and not the mayor as in the novel), grapples with what the event means and encourages the residents of Mapleton to move forward even as his own family struggles with the aftermath of the vanishings.

Amy Brenneman of “Private Practice” will reportedly play Laurie, Kevin’s wife, while Liv Tyler will play Meg, a woman who is sought after by a mysterious cult. Actor Christopher Eccleston is also aboard the project.

Peter Berg, who was the creator of the NBC series “Friday Night Lights” and directed the 2012 movie “Battleship,” directed the pilot.

Perrotta’s novel was originally published in May 2012.

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