LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Bill Clinton's debut novel will not hit shelves for almost a year, but it is already getting the TV treatment as Showtime said Friday that it would adapt the anticipated book into a series.
Clinton's "The President Is Missing," co-authored with prolific thriller writer James Patterson, will follow the sudden disappearance of a sitting U.S. president and will draw on Clinton's knowledge of holding the office.
It is due to be published in June 2018 and is the first time a U.S. president has co-authored a thriller.
"I'm really enjoying writing this book and working with Jim," Clinton said in a statement. "And I can't wait to see Showtime bring the characters to life."
Showtime, the premium cable network owned by CBS Corp (NYSE:CBS), did not give any details on casting or when the series might air.
The series is yet another high-profile addition to the growing landscape of television, which has drawn Oscar-winning film talent to create and star in shows. Showtime President and CEO David Nevins said getting the television rights to the book was "a coup in the highest order."