Since the moment Hulu announced that it had secured the rights to develop the television adaptation of A Court of Thorns and Roses, fans haven’t stopped celebrating. However, it seems that the series is no longer a certainty…

Sarah J. Maas, the writer of the saga, collaborated on the scripts for the future title alongside Ronald D. Moore (Outlander). A few months ago, rumors began to circulate that there were issues with crafting the story for the screen.

Apparently, the author was not pleased with how certain aspects of the project were progressing, making the process even slower. Now, TV Line has announced that the streaming platform has scrapped the idea of an adaptation.

Is the A Court of Thorns and Roses series still on?

Well, despite TV Line confirming that Hulu had already discarded the project with Sarah J. Maas, Variety published a news article just 18 hours ago stating that, for the time being, the ACOTAR series is still in progress. This means that there is still hope…

Cover of A Court of Thorns and Roses, the first book in the ACOTAR saga by Sarah J. Maas. (Source: @IGN)

However, according to the entertainment site, a report on Monday asserted that the adaptation is not moving forward with the streaming giant and, in fact, its long-term fate seems rather murky.

This suggests that it’s only a matter of time until Hulu scraps the idea of bringing the saga to the screen. Currently, the story rights are not being sold to other services, making its future a complete mystery.

Hulu’s director, Craig Erwich, was present at a press event last week alongside journalists from the Television Critics Association, to whom he confessed, “That show has been in development, but I don’t have any news to share today“.

What is ACOTAR all about?

The story follows Feyre Archeron, a young huntress living in a world divided between humans and fae (magical beings). Feyre kills a wolf in the forest, which turns out to be a fae in disguise, and as a consequence, she is taken to the other side of the wall that separates humans from the fae lands as punishment.

In the fae realm, the protagonist encounters political intrigues, dark magic, and powerful characters. The plot explores themes of love, betrayal, redemption, and sacrifice as Feyre adapts to her new life and unravels hidden secrets.

ACOTAR has stood out for its focus on complex characters, intricate plots, and a richly detailed world. It has received praise for the evolution of its protagonists, as well as for the emotional relationships and unexpected twists in the plot. In addition to the first book, the series includes several sequels, expanding the narrative and exploring different aspects of the universe.

How influential was ACOTAR to the genre?

The novel has had a significant impact on the fantasy genre and has gained a passionate fan base. The book series consists of several volumes, with the first, “A Court of Thorns and Roses”, published in 2015 and written by Sarah J. Maas.

Its impact is attributed in part to its focus on strong and complex characters, deep emotional relationships, and a richly detailed world. The elements of romance, magic, and action have resonated with readers of all ages, turning ACOTAR into a literary phenomenon.

Sarah J. Maas attends Tory Burch Fall/Winter 2024 New York Fashion Week. (Source:Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Tory Burch)

Unlike some more conventional young adult fantasy works, it does not shy away from exploring dark and mature themes such as violence, trauma, and the complexities of relationships. The saga delves into emotional and ethical issues more profoundly, adding layers of complexity to the plot.

Maas has created a detailed and fascinating world filled with magical creatures, breathtaking landscapes, and a rich backstory. This world-building contributes to the reader’s immersion in the story, garnering a large base of loyal fans, which continues to grow due to the numerous crossovers in her novels.