Screenwriter and director Elgin James has secured development of a television adaptation of S.A. Cosby’s Southern Gothic crime novel King of Ashes at FX, the studio has announced. The move follows James’s recent work on a rebooted Prison Break series for Hulu, where he is directing the current production.
High-profile partners join the project
The drama will be produced in partnership with several major production companies: Amblin, Higher Ground—the production company founded by the Obamas—and 20th Television, where James holds an overall deal. Executive production credits for the adaptation will include James alongside Higher Ground, and Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey for Amblin, with Todd Cohen of Amblin named as a co-executive producer.
The literary rights to Cosby’s novel were negotiated by Lucy Stille at Lucy Stille Literary on behalf of Josh Getzler at HG Literary, according to the industry announcement.
Story and author background
The narrative of King of Ashes follows Roman Carruthers, who returns to his family’s crematorium in Virginia after his father is left comatose in what is described as a suspicious hit-and-run. Roman finds that his brother’s criminal liabilities have exposed the family to grave danger, and the novel charts the extremes to which he will go to shield them.
"King of Ashes is centered on Roman Carruthers, who returns home to his family’s crematory business in Virginia after his father is left comatose in a suspicious hit-and-run, only to discover his brother’s criminal debts have put the entire family in danger—and he’ll do whatever it takes to protect them."
S.A. Cosby is a New York Times best-selling author whose work has attracted considerable interest from film and television; his novels include All the Sinners Bleed, Razorblade Tears, Blacktop Wasteland and My Darkest Prayer. The announcement notes Cosby’s books have been translated into 28 languages and optioned for screen adaptations.
Where this fits in James’s career
James is currently directing a Prison Break series for Hulu that was ordered to series last October and has been filmed in Los Angeles. That project reunites him with several actors he previously worked with on the motorcycle drama Mayans M.C., which ran for five seasons on FX. His earlier credits include co-creating the Amazon series The Outlaws with Stephen Merchant and writing and directing the feature film Little Birds.
- Current production: Prison Break series for Hulu (filming in Los Angeles).
- New project: King of Ashes adaptation at FX.
- Production partners: Amblin, Higher Ground, 20th Television.
The announcement also details James’s representation: he is signed with WME and the law firm Johnson, Shapiro, Slewett & Kole.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Novel | King of Ashes (S.A. Cosby) |
| Lead producer(s) | Elgin James; Higher Ground; Darryl Frank & Justin Falvey (Amblin) |
| Studio | FX / 20th Television |
For readers in Elgin and across Scotland, the story is notable both for the name recognition and because it highlights how transatlantic production relationships continue to shape high-end television drama. James’s trajectory—from independent film to multi-season US series and now to an adaptation of a contemporary American novel with heavyweight partners—illustrates the path taken by creators working across borders and platforms.
Production timelines for the adaptation have not been disclosed. As with many literary options, moving from development into full series order typically depends on script delivery, casting and network scheduling decisions. Given the involvement of established production houses and FX, the project will be watched closely by industry observers and fans of Cosby’s work.
This development follows a growing appetite among US and international streamers for crime dramas rooted in distinct regional milieus, a trend that has previously offered opportunities for writers and directors to translate localised storytelling into wider audiences. The combination of James’s experience on serial drama and Cosby’s novel-based narrative suggests the adaptation will aim to retain the book’s atmospheric and moral complexity while building a cinematic series format.
