Steve Lightfoot Brings Dragon Tattoo to TV After Movie Success
The Hannibal writer will adapt Stieg Larsson's thriller for Sky's eight-episode series, modernizing the story that made Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara stars in David Fincher's acclaimed film.
Sky ordered an eight-episode series based on The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, tapping Hannibal writer Steve Lightfoot to adapt Stieg Larsson's bestselling novel. The move comes years after David Fincher's 2011 film adaptation earned critical praise and showcased Daniel Craig in one of his most compelling roles as journalist Mikael Blomkvist.
Fincher's version scored a 7.8 on IMDb and achieved 86% ratings from both critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. The film paired Craig with Rooney Mara in a dark thriller that didn't pull punches when depicting the novel's brutal themes.
Modern Take on Classic Mystery
Left Bank Pictures will produce the series alongside Sky, with Andy Harries, Charlotte Moore, and John Phillips leading production duties. Amy Pascal and Scott Rudin join as executive producers. The show plans to transport Larsson's story into today's world while keeping the investigative elements that made the original novel compelling.
Lightfoot's adaptation will tackle themes of systematic misogyny, power abuse, and sexual violence. These subjects remain painfully relevant in 2026, giving the series fresh urgency beyond simple nostalgia.
Following Fincher's Footsteps
The original story follows disgraced journalist Blomkvist as he teams up with hacker Lisbeth Salander to solve a decades-old disappearance. Fincher's movie faced controversy for its graphic content, but time has been kind to the adaptation.
Craig's performance as Blomkvist came during his Bond peak, yet he delivered something completely different. The actor brought nuance to a character dealing with professional disgrace and personal demons. Mara matched his intensity as the enigmatic Salander.
Lightfoot brings experience from Hannibal and his upcoming Spider-Noir project. Both shows require handling mature themes without flinching. His track record suggests he won't water down Larsson's vision.
No release date has been announced. The project remains in early development, but success could open doors for adaptations of Larsson's other Millennium novels.