Alfred Hitchcock's chilling 1963 masterpiece The Birds is getting a modern makeover as a limited series, and it's bringing some serious star power. According to a new report, Sarah Snook—the Emmy-winning breakout from HBO's Succession—is attached to star in the project, which is currently being shopped to buyers.
The miniseries will be written by Tom Spezialy, a veteran of genre television who co-created and developed Ash vs. Evil Dead and produced the acclaimed Watchmen series. Universal International Studios and Heyday Television are producing, marking a major step forward for a property that has remained largely untouched for decades.
Hitchcock's original film, based on a Daphne du Maurier story, remains one of the most terrifying entries in his filmography. It follows a small California town that comes under siege from violent bird attacks, with no clear explanation or resolution—a hallmark of Hitchcock's ability to tap into primal fear. The movie was a box office hit and has since become a cult classic, often cited as one of the scariest films ever made.
Interestingly, Hitchcock's work has seen a lull in adaptations over the past decade. The last major remake was Ben Wheatley's 2020 take on Rebecca for Netflix, which came seven years after Park Chan-wook's Stoker (loosely based on Shadow of a Doubt). Before that, Brian De Palma and Gus Van Sant had their turns, but the 2010s saw few filmmakers willing to tackle the master's legacy. That drought is now ending with this ambitious miniseries.
For fans of horror television, this project joins a growing trend of prestige limited series reviving classic scares. Shows like Mike Flanagan's The Haunting of Hill House have proven that horror can thrive in serialized form, and The Birds seems poised to follow suit. If you're looking for more binge-worthy horror miniseries, check out our list of 6 Perfect Miniseries to Binge in One Night.
Snook's casting is a major coup. Her performance as Shiv Roy in Succession earned her an Emmy and widespread acclaim, and she's been selective about her post-Succession projects. Taking on a Hitchcock remake signals her interest in high-profile genre work, and her ability to convey both vulnerability and steeliness should serve the material well.
While plot details remain under wraps, the miniseries format offers a chance to expand on the original's themes of nature's unpredictability and societal breakdown. Spezialy's experience with horror-comedy (Ash vs. Evil Dead) and complex narratives (Watchmen) suggests a fresh take that honors Hitchcock's legacy while carving its own identity.
As the project seeks a home, it's worth noting that Universal has been aggressive in reviving classic horror properties, from The Invisible Man to Halloween. This Birds miniseries could be the next feather in their cap—pun intended. For more on the state of horror remakes, see our coverage of Damien Leone's new film with Sam Raimi.
Stay tuned for updates as this project develops. With Snook attached and a talented writer-producer team in place, this could be one of the most anticipated horror events of the coming years.
