Can’t get the ending of “Sharp Objects” out of your mind? Neither can PEN America, apparently. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the women behind the HBO miniseries’ story, Gillian Flynn and Marti Noxon, will receive PEN America’s prize for teleplay excellence at the 2018 LitFest Gala on November 2. Taking place at Los Angeles’ Beverly Wilshire Hotel, the event celebrates free expression and the literary arts and raises money for threatened or imprisoned writers around the world, free speech research, and literary advancement.
Based on Flynn’s debut novel, “Sharp Objects” sees reporter Camille Preaker (Amy Adams), a struggling addict and self-harmer, returning to her small Missouri hometown to investigate the murder of two young local girls. Her visit not only brings up traumatic memories, it also reveals some terrifying truths about her mother (Patricia Clarkson) and younger half-sister (Eliza Scanlen).
Noxon adapted the book and served as the series’ showrunner. Both she and Flynn wrote for the show and exec produced.
“In Sharp Objects, Marti Noxon and Gillian Flynn expertly depict the ruthless specter of history and the hurt beating in the heart of women,” said Michelle Franke, executive director of PEN America in Los Angeles. “Literary and enthralling, ‘Sharp Object’s’ was the standout choice for the 2018 award for teleplay excellence.”
Flynn’s other two novels, “Gone Girl” and “Dark Places,” were made into films. She was nominated for a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, and a WGA Award for penning the former’s screenplay. Flynn co-wrote upcoming heist thriller “Widows” with director Steve McQueen. The Viola Davis-starrer hits theaters November 16. She’s currently working on “Utopia” for Amazon. Based on a UK series of the same name, the show follows a group of people who get a hold of an underground comic that promises to save the world.
Noxon wrote and directed last year’s eating disorder drama “To the Bone.” She created the dearly departed “Dietland” and “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce” and co-created “UnREAL” with Sarah Gertrude Shapiro. “UnREAL” relocated from Lifetime to Hulu for its fourth and final season earlier this year. “Girlfriends” also ended in 2018 after five seasons. “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Mad Men,” and “Grey’s Anatomy” are among Noxon’s many other TV credits.
