Netflix still prevails in securing big titles for its platform amidst the continual user outrage for their ongoing cancelation purge, with Inside Job joining the list as the first casualty of 2023. According to a report from Deadline, fresh off a season two renewal for its global sensation Wednesday, Netflix has won a competitive bidding war against five streamers and networks to secure the television adaptation of Adam Silvera’s number 1 New York Times Best Seller, They Both Die At The End. The YA novel follows a beautifully tragic journey of two teenage boys – Mateo and Rufus – who embark on one last adventure together in their final hours on Earth.

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Previously, the book-to-series adaptation was in the hands of HBO, with J.J. Abrams executively producing the miniseries with The Other Two co-creator Chris Kelly. Now the project will be brought to life by eOne’s studios with Silvera, Bridgerton creator Chris Van Dusen, Yellowjackets executive producer Drew Comins, and Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, professionally known as the musical icon Bad Bunny, joining on as the series’ executive producers. Additionally, Van Dusen is penning the pilot script for They Both Die At The End, marking his return to Netflix after a highly successful two-season run on Shondaland’s critically acclaimed series Bridgerton.

The official book synopsis is below:

On September 5, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: They’re going to die today. Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but for different reasons, they’re both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news: There’s an app for that. It’s called the Last Friend, and through it, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure—to live a lifetime in a single day.

They Both Die at the End Already Has a Considerable Following

     Netflix

Adam Silvera’s bestseller They Both Die at the End received stellar reviews and high critical praise upon its release in 2017. It was a breakout novel for Silvera as the book instantly rose to the top of the New York Times Best Seller List after publication. As a result, it made history as the first young adult novel with queer Latinx characters to reach the number one spot on the list. Furthermore, the book also has gained international acclaim, becoming the number one YA Best Seller in the UK and Australia.

Although the book came out six years ago, They Both Die at the End has remained within the public eye. Its international popularity and reentry into the mainstream can be attributed to the book resurfacing during the pandemic due to TikTok. The popular social media platform is known for creating viral sensations, and the book began trending under the hashtag #BookTok in 2021. The YA romantic speculative fiction tale has clocked in over 80 million views to date and remains a staple within the popular hashtag.

The viral resurgence propelled the novel back to number 1 on the New York Times Best Seller list, where it stayed for 15 consecutive months and eventually secured the title as the number one best-selling young adult novel for 2021. Since They Both Die At The End already has virality on its side coupled with its all-star executive producing team, the upcoming series has all the makings to be another hit for Netflix.