‘Feminist’ sci-fi thriller The Power to be made into Amazon Prime show starring Toni Collette

A novel described as ‘feminist sci-fi’ is set to hit the small screen as a 10-part Amazon Prime series.

Toni Collette has just been confirmed to star in The Power, adapted from the 2016 novel of the same name by Naomi Alderman, a dystopian satire that has been compared to Margaret Atwood’s novel The Handmaid’s Tale.

According to a studio synopsis of the adaptation, a group of teenage girls mysteriously develop a special power that allows them to electrocute people at will. 

When the start passing on the ability to older women too, across the world, they all use it to become the dominant sex, in some cases even killing men who get in their way.

The 2016 Baileys women’s prize-winning novel has been compared to The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

The teenagers then realise they can awaken the power in older women, which leads to women becoming the dominant gender across the world, using their power to take control, and even killing the men who get in their way in some cases.

The studio synopsis says: ‘The Power follows a cast of remarkable characters from London to Alabama, Nigeria to Seattle, as the Power evolves from a tingle in teenagers’ collarbones to a complete reversal of the power balance of the world.’ 

In the show, Toni will play a character called Margot Cleary-Lopez, the Democrat mayor of Seattle.

According to a synopis of the series: ‘[Margot has] a sharp tongue, a wicked sense of humor and a passion to leave the world better than she found it. 

‘She is also a devoted mother to three children, including Jos (Auli’i Cravalho), and wife to her husband of 20 years Rob (John Leguizamo).

‘When the Power emerges, Margot is catapulted into the spotlight, opening the door to unimaginable possibilities – both personal and political.’  

The project was initially announced in 2019, with production on the show starting in February 2020.

It was shut down weeks later when the coronavirus pandemic shutdown commenced in March 2020. 

When the series initially started filming, Leslie Mann and Tim Robbins were cast in leading roles, however, following the long delays, both departed the project.

Rainn Wilson was also set to appear in the series, but has also left as a result of the delays.  

Josh Charles will instead play the role of Daniel Dandon, who is described by the studio synopsis as ‘a skilled political animal, an experienced schmoozer who is great at playing the game’.

It adds that he is ‘poised to be the state’s next senator. That is, until the emergence of the Power’.   

Speaking last year about the book being made into an Amazon Prime series, author Naomi Alderman, who will serve as executive producer, said she was ‘hugely excited’.

‘The story is a global one, about the lives of women and men everywhere in the world, so I’m hugely excited that The Power will be sparking conversation and debate essentially… everywhere,’ she said.

‘We’re going to make something revolutionary and, dare I say it, electrifying.’ 

Further cast members include Eddie Marsan, Ana Ularu, Zrinka Cvitesic, Ria Zmitrowicz, Toheeb Jimoh, and Edwina Findley. 

The series, which will be available to watch on Prime Video, does not yet have a release date.