Sarah Snook to Star in HBO’s ‘The Birds’ Limited Series Adaptation

HBO is developing a new limited series inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller The Birds, with Sarah Snook (Succession, Run Rabbit Run) attached to star. The project will reimagine the iconic story in a modern setting, trading the original film’s backdrop for the isolated wilderness of Alaska, where a murder investigation becomes entangled with a terrifying wave of bird attacks.

According to Deadline, Tom Spezialy, whose television credits include The Leftovers and Watchmen, is attached to write the pilot. The series is currently in development at HBO.

What Is HBO’s The Birds Series About?

First announced in May, the limited series puts a new spin on the premise of Hitchcock’s 1963 classic, introducing an original protagonist and a murder mystery at the center of the story.

Snook will play Myra Massey, a traveling magistrate who returns to her isolated Alaskan hometown for what should be a routine hearing involving a presumed death. Instead, she discovers the bullet-ridden body of a childhood friend, turning an apparently straightforward case into something far more disturbing.

As Myra steps beyond her official duties to investigate the killing, the surrounding environment grows increasingly dangerous. A wave of bird attacks begins, forcing her to fight for survival in a place where threats emerge from both the shadows and the skies.

The series is described as a visceral, present-day reimagining of Hitchcock’s classic, combining a murder mystery with nature-driven horror.

Sarah Snook Reunites With HBO

Snook’s involvement brings her back to HBO following her acclaimed performance as Shiv Roy in Succession. Her other credits include the psychological thriller Run Rabbit Run, which further established her presence in genre storytelling.

The new The Birds adaptation will place her at the center of a mystery that blends crime, suspense, and increasingly disturbing attacks from the natural world.

Spezialy will write the pilot and executive produce alongside Snook, Iain Canning’s fellow producer team at Heyday Television, and Danny Samit, according to the project announcement. Universal International Studios and Heyday Television are producing the series.

From Alfred Hitchcock’s Classic to a Modern Horror Series

Released in 1963, Hitchcock’s The Birds was based on the 1952 short story of the same name by Daphne du Maurier. The film transformed seemingly ordinary birds into an unpredictable threat, creating a landmark in suspense cinema without relying on a conventional explanation for the attacks.

The property has inspired several attempts to revisit its story. A television sequel arrived in 1994, while a proposed remake involving Naomi Watts and director Martin Campbell never materialized. A separate BBC adaptation announced in 2017 also failed to move forward.

HBO’s new version takes a different approach by introducing new characters, a contemporary setting, and a murder mystery alongside the bird attacks.

When Will The Birds Premiere on HBO?

The limited series remains in development, and HBO has not announced a premiere date. With Spezialy attached to write the pilot, further details about production, additional casting, and the release schedule have yet to be revealed.

For now, the combination of Sarah Snook’s lead performance, an isolated Alaskan setting, and the legacy of Hitchcock’s original makes The Birds one to watch as the project develops.