● You were the head of the jury
this year on the first CannesSeries. Countries other than the ones that
dominate the TV industry were also included. You are creating content at
the industry leader of the World, USA. What did you think of the
storytellers and stories that come outside of the United States?I think they are
fantastic and will soon become our great new storytellers. We are living in the golden age of global
television – all countries will contribute.
● Your books are sold in Turkey
and you have many fans. If I am not mistaken, 19 of your books were
translated to our language. Are you aware of the sales in Turkey and are
you happy for such a big Interest? I love hearing from my
Turkish readers! They are such careful
and enthusiastic readers. I’m really
proud of how the Turkish people have embraced the novels.
● TV is going through its golden
age. Platforms such as Netflix are undeniably advantageous for the
audience. We are so happy to be able to easily watch many shows and movies
at our home that are created all around the world. What do you think the
advantages of Netflix etc. to the TV industry and to the storyteller?It allows us to tell
stories in different ways. SAFE feels to
me like a visual novel – eight episodes, one story, lots of hooks and twists
and emotion. I don’t know if I could
have made it five or ten years ago.
● What can you tell us about
“Safe”? What was its journey? How was the preparation stage?Safe is about a
compelling crime drama about family and neighbourhoods and secrets. It takes place in a gated community. Sometimes we build walls to keep the bad out
– but what if we end up keeping the bad in? Tom (Michael C. Hall) played a widowed father of two teenage
daughters. When one goes to a secret
party, one teenager goes missing – and another ends up dead. Why?
● You are one of the producers and
also the showrunner of “Safe”. For those who don’t know, can you talk
about the responsibilities of a showrunner?Television is very
collaborative – there are so many people who contribute – and I would say that
the best way to think of the showrunner is to think of the captain of your
favourite sports team. The showrunner is
involved in everything – casting, directing, writing, story – but he also
relies on great teammates.
● With “Safe”, you’ve created
something directly for television. Of course writing a novel and creating
a series are different processes; but when you think about it know, which
one is more enjoyable for you?
I love both. One is a completely solo activity, and I
enjoy that. But I also love being able
to collaborate with talented people like Michael C. Hall (acting), Danny
Brocklehurt (writing) and Nicola Shindler (producing).
● Are there any similar
difficulties or conveniences between constructing a novel and a series?
It’s very similar- in
both cases I want to tell you stories you can’t put down (books) or turn off
(TV). My job is to grip you and move you- and maybe surprise you too.
● Michael C. Hall has so many fans
because of “Dexter”. His performance is still remembered and the show is
being watched over and over again. Do you think the fact that Michael
played such a fan-favourite character is beneficial for “Safe”, or is it a
disadvantage?
Michael C. Hall is one of
our best actors. Working with him is one
of the great thrills of my life. It’s a
complete and total advantage. Tom is completely different than Dexter, and I
love that.
● You are a bestselling and award
winning novelist. What kind of advantages does a TV show/movie that is
based on a novel have? What is easier and what is harder when a content is
based on a novel?
It’s easier if you take it
from a novel -you already have the story- but being able to think freely is
also great. Both are hard!
● Are you a strict writer that
wants everything you wrote to be present on screen; or are you open to the
changes that are made when creating a TV show/movie?
I’m very open. I think the worst adaptation keep slavishly
devoted to the text. A book is a book,
and a TV show is a TV show. They are
different mediums and should be treated as such.
● You are a novelist, producer and
according to IMDb you also acted in a mini-series. How do you think all
these different experiences will affect your creation process in the
future?
They all feed off one
another. For example, I’m something of
an introvert. So when I get too involved
in the making of a TV show, it makes me want to lock myself away and work on
the novel. The opposite is also true –
when I get too lonely, I’m happy to collaborate on the TV series.
● When writing a new novel, do you
take into consideration that it might one day be adapted to a movie or a
TV show?
Never. If you write a book thinking, “Oh this will
make a great movie,” it is the kiss of death!
● “Safe” will be aired in Turkey
day-and-date. What would you like to say to the Turkish audience? What do
you feel when your stories find an audience in the countries you don’t
know at all?
I know my Turkish readers
– and I know they will love SAFE. It’s a
gripping crime drama about family and neighbours, about love and long-buried
secrets. I can’t wait for you to watch
it!
● Which book would you recommend
to someone who has never read Harlan Coben?
I’m the worst person to
ask! It’s like asking me to pick a
favourite child! What do you think?