Netflix Is Turning Taylor Swift and Barack Obama’s Beloved Novel Into Your Next Binge

Netflix is circling its next moody mystery: an hour-long series based on Liz Moore's bestseller 'The God of the Woods.' The book already has an unlikely fan club that includes Taylor Swift and former President Barack Obama, which is not exactly a subtle endorsement. Variety says the show is in development now.

The story

Set in the Adirondacks, the plot kicks off when 13-year-old Barbara Van Laar vanishes from her family’s summer camp. That disappearance rips open an older wound tied to the very powerful Van Laar clan. As investigators dig in, the narrative flips between then and now, and the deeper it goes, the more it drags up buried secrets, money-fueled fallout, and the kind of class divides that never really stay in the past. If you like your mysteries with lakes, trees, and generational mess, this is squarely in that lane.

Who is making it

• Netflix is developing it as a one-hour drama series.
• Studios: Sony Pictures Television and Original Film.
• Show leadership: author Liz Moore and Liz Hannah are co-showrunners, writers, and executive producers.
• Additional EPs: Neal H. Moritz and Pavun Shetty for Original Film.
• Status check: no casting yet, no release window yet.

"We love making TV and can’t wait to bring The God of the Woods to life with our partners at Sony and Netflix. We hope everyone falls in love (and hate) with these characters as much as we have."

Why this one has heat

The novel popped up on multiple best-of lists. Obama called it one of his favorite books of the year. And in a fun bit of cross-over, Taylor Swift is shown listening to the audiobook in her documentary 'The End of an Era.' That pairing does not happen every day, and it helps explain why this title moved quickly.

Where it fits in Moore’s TV run

This keeps Moore’s partnership with Sony and Original Film rolling. Earlier this year, her 'Long Bright River' series landed on Peacock and drew solid critical attention. That makes this Netflix move less of a gamble and more of a logical next step for everyone involved.