Fifth Season Options Teddy Wayne’s Upcoming Thriller ‘The Au Pair’ for Film Adaptation (EXCLUSIVE)

Fifth Season has optioned the film rights to adapt Teddy Wayne’s next novel, “The Au Pair.” HarperCollins Publishers is set to release the book on June 30, 2026.

Like Wayne’s previous novels, “The Au Pair” is a psychological thriller, this time following once-acclaimed author Steven Hammer as he faces a crumbling career and marriage. His only source of solace is his family’s Norwegian au pair, Astrid. Not only does Astrid care for Steven and his wife’s children, but she also adores his unsung work. As their relationship grows into a secret infatuation, scandal ensues, making them both infamous. Amid a headline-grabbing trial, a synopsis explains, Steven must navigate the fallout for him and his family, confront his deeper insecurities and answer a darker question: “Is Astrid an innocent young woman caught up in a case beyond her control, or a calculating femme fatale? And how far will he go, driven by desperation and obsession, for her professed love?”

How closely “The Au Pair” adaptation will follow the novel is yet to be revealed. Wayne is attached to adapt the screenplay and Fifth Season’s partner company Makeready will produce. The director and casting are yet to be announced.

“The Au Pair” will be Wayne’s seventh novel. He has also published several essays and articles as a columnist for The New York Times and a contributor for The New Yorker. He has previously developed film and television adaptations of his works at HBO, Columbia Pictures, MGM Television, Protoza and other studios. His last novel, 2024’s “The Winner” was a New York Times top ten thriller of the year and a film adaptation is currently in development at Sony with Tom Holland attached to star and produce under his production company Billy17.

Wayne is represented by CAA, Kaplan/Perrone, Jackoway Austen and Sterling Lord Literistic.