The newest miniseries on Apple TV+, “Dear Edward,” is the form of interconnected “human curiosity” story that feels prefer it may have occurred in actual life — however did it? While “Dear Edward” is not immediately primarily based on a real story, it does adapt a e-book that drew its inspiration from a real-life tragedy and the outpouring of curiosity that adopted.
Is “Dear Edward” Based on a Book?
The TV sequence “Dear Edward” is an adaptation of a 2020 novel by Ann Napolitano. Following its launch, the novel earned a slew of accolades, together with a spot on the New York Times bestseller record, inclusion on a number of “better of 2020” lists and choices for nationwide e-book golf equipment such because the “Read with Jenna” e-book membership on the Today Show.
In February 2022, Apple Studios introduced that that they had optioned the sequence for a TV adaptation. Jason Katims, the creator of exhibits comparable to “Friday Night Lights” and “Parenthood,” was introduced as the author, govt producer, and showrunner. His “Friday Night Lights” star Connie Britton was introduced as one of many leads within the solid, together with Colin O’Brien as Edward. Other solid members, introduced later, embody Taylor Schilling, Amy Forsyth, Carter Hudson, Anna Uzele, and Brian D’Arcy James.
The e-book follows the titular character, a 12-year-old boy who’s the only real survivor of a airplane crash that takes the lives of many, together with his circle of relatives. He strikes in together with his aunt, Lacey, and struggles to adapt to his new life. As he tries to cope with his grief, his aunt conceals one thing from him: individuals have been writing letters to him as a result of they’re moved by his story and are desperately curious to see what turns into of him. His story intersects with different tales of these affected by the crash and whose lives have likewise been touched by grief in numerous methods.
Is “Dear Edward” Based on a True Story?
Napolitano discovered inspiration for her novel in a real story: the 2010 crash of Afriqiyah Airways Flight 771 in Libya. According to stories from BBC News, the airplane crashed because it tried its touchdown, killing over 100 individuals on board, together with the entire crew and all however one passenger. That sole survivor was a nine-year-old Dutch boy. Later recognized as Ruben van Assouw, the younger boy had been returning on Flight 771 from a South African safari journey together with his dad and mom and older brother, all of whom died within the crash.
After studying about van Assouw’s story within the information, Napolitano was struck by the concept of a fictionalized story primarily based on his expertise, coping with parts of hope and grief.
“This story simply flayed me,” she advised the New York Times in 2020. “I couldn’t think about how the boy can be OK — and I may really feel from the stickiness of my obsession that I used to be going to have to write down a e-book that created a set of circumstances to make him OK.”