Back in 2009 Stephen King published his doorstep novel (surely not) Under The Dome which told of a small town in Maine (surely not) which suddenly and inexplicably finds itself trapped under a giant, invisible dome (hence the name) with its inhabitants struggling to find out what’s happened and why as their environment turns decidedly apocalyptic. Rumours have been bouncing around for some time that a screen version is on the cards and until recently it was understood that Showtime in America (home of Dexter so praise be) would be ponying-up for some sort of mini-series based on the book. But it now transpires that CBS themselves (who own Showtime in any case) have taken up the project and greenlit a thirteen-episode series without any of that pesky pilot episode business which often bedevils and sinks so many promising shows.

CBS TV Studios will co-produce alongside Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Productions and Spielberg himself will be executive producer. No casting news as yet but the first episode will be written by Brian K Vaughan (Lost) and directed by Niels Arden Oplev who directed the original Swedish language (and best) version of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. The series is expected to air in Autumn 2013. Under the Dome on TV, eh? Time to dust off that hardback which is currently propping up the Starburst drinks cabinet…

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