Author in the Wilderness Reconsiders Quitting After Life-Changing Phone Call

The upcoming TV thriller, Wilderness, featuring Jenna Coleman and an original soundtrack by Taylor Swift, holds great significance for author Beverley Jones. With a background as a journalist and police press officer, Jones is well-equipped to write crime stories. However, she almost gave up on writing before receiving a life-changing phone call. Sitting in her box room, contemplating a career change, Jones was informed that her sixth book, Wilderness, would be adapted into a television series. Initially cautious about the project's timeline, Jones soon discovered that a production company, Firebird Films, had already completed the script and secured financial backers. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the series, causing the original backers to opt out. However, Amazon Prime Video eventually became involved, leading to the fast-paced development of the show. Wilderness follows the story of Olivia (played by Jenna Coleman), whose life crumbles after discovering her husband's infidelity. The couple embarks on a road trip across the USA, but Olivia has motivations beyond reconciliation. Marnie Dickens, known for her work on Gold Digger, adapted Jones' novel for the screen, and the cast includes Ashley Benson and Clare Rushbrook. Furthermore, Taylor Swift's re-recorded version of "Look What You Made Me Do" appears in the show's teaser trailer and opening credits. Jones reflects on her beginnings as a journalist, which exposed her to the darker aspects of human nature and inspired her debut novel, Telling Stories. Despite the difficulties of being an author, Jones continued to release books, hoping for a breakthrough hit. Wilderness has fulfilled that aspiration, as demonstrated by the recent BAFTA screening and the prominent poster featuring the show while Jones was driving through London. However, the most satisfying aspect for Jones is that Jenna Coleman's character remains Welsh, as Jones intended. She expressed her appreciation for Clare Rushbrook's portrayal of Olivia's mother, emphasizing the challenges of accurately portraying Welsh characters.