From Page To Premiere: Anchorcall Services Resurrects Birdwatcher For HBO Max

Author Ann Greyson’s award-winning Birdwatcher series transitions from a haunting literary mystery to a highly anticipated HBO Max production.

The Cinematic Transition

After STX Entertainment’s restructuring, Anchorcall Services secured the rights to Ann Greyson’s Birdwatcher series. The chilling supernatural thriller is now being developed for HBO Max as a potential original series.

A LBUQUERQUE, NM – In a major move for the independent literary world, Anchorcall Services has officially taken over the big-screen adaptation of the “Birdwatcher” novel franchise. The deal, spearheaded by literary publicist Samantha Jacobs, breathes new life into a project that was stalled last year. The rights were acquired from STX Entertainment, which withdrew from the project in June 2025 following a massive corporate restructuring and department-wide layoffs.

The acquisition covers both “Birdwatcher” (2022) and its high-stakes sequel, “Birdwatcher 2″ (2024), written by award-winning author Ann Greyson. Industry insiders confirm that thanks to an aggressive cinematic pitch by Jacobs, executives at HBO Max are now considering the property for development as an exclusive original.

Ann Greyson masterfully weaves psychological dread with paranormal intrigue, earning prestigious awards for her vivid, high-stakes storytelling and complex characters.

Highlights

• A Rare Cinematic Heartbeat: Publicist Samantha Jacobs notes the rare combination of crime mystery and supernatural presence that makes the story perfect for the screen.
• The Director’s Vision: Ann Greyson explicitly envisions horror maestro James Wan to lead the production, ensuring a high-tension atmosphere.
• A Global Narrative: The production aligns with current streaming trends seeking “high-impact, emotionally driven narratives” for a worldwide audience.
• The Character of Estelle: A key highlight is the role of Estelle Rowland, a sharp-eyed witness Greyson hopes will be portrayed by Jeri Ryan.
• Expanding the Lore: The transition covers the entire “multimedia franchise,” including the 2019 TV short and the terrifying 2024 sequel.

A PROJECT REBORN

The journey to the screen has been as twisted as the novels’ plots. In May 2025, STX Entertainment’s Tim Albert initiated talks to produce the story with Erick Hernandez at the helm. At the time, the proposed budget was set at $650,000 with a target release on Netflix by 2028. Following STX’s exit, Anchorcall Services stepped in this March to secure the rights directly from Greyson.

Samantha Jacobs, who authored the definitive Film Development Proposal for the series, believes the story is uniquely suited for the current streaming climate. “The dual threads of mystery and supernatural presence give Birdwatcher and Birdwatcher 2 a cinematic heartbeat that’s rare to see,” Jacobs remarked.

“The dual threads of mystery and supernatural presence give Birdwatcher and Birdwatcher 2 a cinematic heartbeat that’s rare to see.”
— Samantha Jacobs, Anchorcall Services

Author Ann Greyson has already expressed her “dream cast” for the production, envisioning master of horror James Wan (The Conjuring) in the director’s chair and veteran actress Jeri Ryan (Star Trek) to portray the pivotal role of Estelle Rowland.

A FRANCHISE BUILT ON DARK PSYCHOLOGY

The “Birdwatcher” multimedia franchise began in 2019 as a short television program before expanding into a series of novels, cinematic trailers, and collectible art. The narrative is a chilling blend of police procedural and Gothic ghost story set in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.

The first novel follows the 2016 disappearance of 12-year-old Abby Wincoff during a family vacation. The investigation, led by Sheriff Andy Kirkman and later Detective Philip Silverwood, eventually uncovers the work of Joey Marks, a remorseless serial killer. However, the story takes a supernatural turn as Abby’s spirit remains trapped in the afterlife, haunting the cabin where she was hidden and eventually facing a demonic entity that threatens to devour her soul.

THE SEQUEL AND BEYOND

The 2024 sequel, “Birdwatcher 2,” ramps up the intensity. It follows the recovery of Abby’s body and the subsequent hauntings experienced by the cabin’s new owner and Abby’s mother, Gillian Wincoff. The story culminates in a spiritual battle involving a Jesuit priest, Reverend Claude Bonanni, who performs an exorcism to save Abby’s soul from a demon that has taken the form of her killer.

“Your story aligns perfectly with the type of high-impact, emotionally driven narratives these platforms are seeking for global audiences.”
— Tim Albert, STX Entertainment

The franchise has already garnered significant critical acclaim, including the International Firebird Book Award and the ASUS ProArtist Award. Critics have praised Greyson’s ability to mix genre tropes, with Literary Titan describing the work as a “gripping, dark, and entertaining novel that blends horror and paranormal mystery.”

“Ann welcomes you with a heartwarming family vacation, where a nap and a child’s whimsical curiosity turns the novel into a horrific crime even the dead would shudder at.”
— Alexis Miller, Inside Scoop Live

PRODUCTION TIMELINE

Under the new management of Anchorcall Services, the projected timeline aims for production to begin in September 2026. If the current talks with HBO Max solidify, the film or limited series could reach global audiences by June 2028.

For fans of the series, the books remain available through Kindle Direct Publishing in both paperback and eBook formats. As the production moves forward, “Birdwatcher” stands as a testament to the power of independent literature making the leap to major streaming platforms.