Netflix is proving that nothing is adapting a new series based on a classic Gothic novel. Following the massive success of Mike Flanagan’s “The Fall of the House of Usher”, the streaming giant is bringing us a brand-new horror series: “The Grays.” This series is a modern iteration of Oscar Wilde’s iconic 1890 novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray.
The Perfect Story for the Social Media Age
What makes this adaptation so exciting is how terrifyingly relevant the themes of The Picture of Dorian Gray are. When the novel was first published, it was a scandalous critique of Victorian social class and vanity. Today? It feels like a direct commentary on social media, filters, and digital obsession.
The story is about a man who sells his soul so that a magical portrait of him ages and decays, reflecting every one of his moral sins. However, he remains perpetually young, beautiful, and flawless in real life. That collision of vanity, moral decay, and the urge to maintain a pristine public image feels more timely than ever, thanks to social media, which encourages everyone to curate their own carefully crafted online reality. “The Grays” has the perfect DNA to become a chilling, cautionary tale about our current hyper-visual culture.
Meet the Creative Team Behind the Madness
The project was first announced back in 2024 and confirms the creative reins are in the hands of writer Katie Rose Rogers. Rogers is best known for her work on popular series like Supergirl and Fellow Travelers—Wilde’s legendary narrative.
While details about “The Grays“ are still tightly under wraps, we do know that the modern setting will plunge into the glamorous, cutthroat world of beauty. It will revolve around a central sibling duo: Basil and Dorian Gray. Basil, traditionally the artist who paints the cursed portrait, and Dorian, the subject of the dark bargain.
Following the Footsteps of Horror Hits
Netflix hopes “The Grays“ will follow in the footsteps of its most successful literary horror series. They have an impressive history here, especially with the game-changing success of Mike Flanagan’s “The Haunting of Hill House.”
Even though Flanagan has moved on to Prime Video to develop more Stephen King adaptations (and the upcoming Exorcist film), “The Grays“ clearly models its structure and quality after those successful, deeply emotional gothic stories.
Right now, we don’t have any word on casting, and Netflix hasn’t offered an official production start date.
This isn’t the first time the story has been adapted. It was first captured on film in 1945. It was told again in 1970. The story was also featured in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen in 2003. It was also included in the absolutely amazing series “Penny Dreadful,”
