Another Holden Sheppard novel is heading for television, with Deadset Pictures securing the rights to adapt acclaimed adult novel Yeah the Boys into a premium drama series.
Set across Perth, Geraldton and the world of professional football, Yeah the Boys follows star full forward Kade “Hammer” Hammersmith, whose carefully controlled life begins to unravel after he publicly attacks Pride Round while concealing the truth about his own sexuality.
As blackmail threats emerge from figures connected to his past, the story explores masculinity, friendship, football culture and identity through the experiences of three gay men navigating adulthood.
The project marks the second screen adaptation of a Holden Sheppard novel following the success of Invisible Boys, which was adapted as a Stan Original Series. Yeah the Boys serves as a sequel to that novel, continuing the story of characters Zeke, Charlie and Hammer.
Sheppard will also serve as Executive Producer on the adaptation and, in a social media post announcing the project, said he was excited by Deadset Pictures’ vision for bringing the novel to screen.
“I was absolutely blown away with Steve and Dan’s vision for Yeah the Boys and I knew immediately my book was in the right hands to be adapted authentically in this cultural moment.”
The author has also indicated the series is intended to be filmed in Perth, with a focus on showcasing Western Australian locations, talent and communities.
Sheppard said he was particularly excited by the prospect of seeing the city’s “urban, gay and gritty” spaces represented on screen.
Deadset Pictures co-founder Steve Pennells said the novel had the emotional depth and scale to resonate with audiences well beyond its existing readership.
“Holden has written the kind of book that demands to be seen.”
No broadcaster, streaming partner or production timeline has yet been announced, with the project currently in development as an eight part premium drama series aimed at Australian and international audiences.
