The much-anticipated fantasy novel by R.F. Kuang, which is scheduled for release on August 26, 2025, is officially getting a TV series by Amazon MGM Studios! The author is best known for The Poppy War series, which is her bestselling fantasy series.
At the time of writing this, the book is still not published. It is still a couple of days away, but announcing the Katabasis TV series adaptation really captures the hype around the book and its anticipation among literary circles.
Katabasis tells the story of two magicians and doctoral candidates who must descend into hell to save their thesis advisor. If they don’t, then they won’t get their letters of recommendation.
Kirkus Reviews has given the book glowing reviews, calling it “a learned, literary manifesto on academia—and its darkness,” while the Library Journal said the book was a must-read for fans of Naomi Novik, Olivie Blake, and Lev Grossman.
Although the book hasn’t been released yet, a TV series is already in the works. Based on R.F. Kuang’s past work, we can bet this latest fantasy novel is going to keep us on the edge of our seats.
What is Katabasis TV Series About?
The story of Katabasis tells the story of Alice Law and Peter Murdoch, who is her rival. Alice Law is one of the brightest minds in magic and has sacrificed everything to be able to work with Professor Jacob Grimes at Cambridge.
She’s sacrificed her health, pride, love life, and sanity, so to say it’s important to work with him is an understatement. However, when he gets in a magical accident, she is left unsure of what to do with herself!
Originally devastated, Alice decides to go down to hell to go after Professor Jacob Grimes. She needs to obtain his recommendation at any cost because it is crucial for her future career. Sure, he might be dead, but his recommendation will still go a long way.
Meanwhile, her rival Peter Murdoch has thought of the same thing!
Together, they are going to traverse the depths of hell to get to their professor. Along the way, they might even be able to set aside their rivalry not only for the sake of their professor’s soul but also their own.
Here’s the official synopsis of the book the TV series will be based on:
Two graduate students must set aside their rivalry and journey to Hell to save their professor’s soul, perhaps at the cost of their own.
Alice Law has only ever had one goal: to become one of the brightest minds in the field of Magick. She has sacrificed everything to make that a reality—her pride, her health, her love life, and most definitely her sanity. All to work with Professor Jacob Grimes at Cambridge, the greatest magician in the world—that is, until he dies in a magical accident that could possibly be her fault.
Grimes is now in Hell, and she’s going in after him. Because his recommendation could hold her very future in his now incorporeal hands, and even death is not going to stop the pursuit of her dreams. Nor will the fact that her rival, Peter Murdoch, has come to the same conclusion.
Who is Developing the Katabasis TV Series?
Amazon MGM Studios bought the rights to the Katabasis novel. This studio was established in 2010 and distributes media through theatres and its well-known streaming service, Amazon Prime Video.
The studio describes the adaptation as “a dark academia fantasy in which two graduate students in Magick must put aside their rivalry and journey through Hell to save their professor’s soul — perhaps at the cost of their own.”
Since the news just broke, there aren’t many people attached to the project. But we do know that Angela Kang is set to act as the writer and showrunner for the project.
Angela Kang is best known for serving as a showrunner on The Walking Dead for the final three seasons. She also worked on the series Terriers, but her most well-known work is on The Walking Dead.
What is the Expected Katabasis TV Series Release Date?
In an exclusive article on Variety, it was reported that R.F. Kuang’s Katabasis is going to get a television series adaptation.
However, there is no release date right now. The project is in very early stages of production, so it will take quite a while before it’s filmed and released!
It is not uncommon for well-established authors to get the rights to their book purchased before it’s even come out. R.F. Kuang isn’t new to the writing world, so it’s no surprise that studios were quick to snatch up the rights to this new, exciting fantasy book.
Should You Read The Book Instead?
Since the book will be released in just a few days, you should definitely grab a copy and read it to understand the hype and whether the decision to adapt the novel is justified.
Based on the earlier reviews, the book is going to become yet another hit, just like R.F. Kuang’s previous novels.
I always recommend reading the book, whether before or after watching its adaptation, because the book is almost always better. The story is fleshed out, the characters are well-established, and you get more of the world-building through the book.
So, pick a copy of the novel as soon as it’s out and read it so that you are ready for when the Katabasis TV series is finally released!
Upcoming Book Adaptations: