A major legal roadblock for one of Netflix’s most anticipated new shows has been removed. How to Kill Your Family, the upcoming series starring Anya Taylor-Joy, was facing a copyright lawsuit that threatened to stop production entirely. That lawsuit has now been settled, allowing the darkly comedic project to finally move forward.
The legal complaint was filed earlier this year by the European studio StudioCanal. They alleged that the 2021 novel by Bella Mackie, which the Netflix series is based on, copied “a substantial part” of their 1949 classic film Kind Hearts and Coronets. With the lawsuit resolved, production for the eight-episode series is expected to begin in 2026.
What Was the Legal Dispute About?
StudioCanal, which owns the rights to the 1949 film Kind Hearts and Coronets, took legal action against author Bella Mackie in a London High Court. The studio claimed that Mackie’s novel reproduced a “substantial part” of their film without permission.
The core of the dispute lay in the similarities between the two stories. Kind Hearts and Coronets is a classic British comedy where the main character, a distant relative of a Duke, plots to murder the eight heirs standing between him and inheriting the title. StudioCanal’s lawsuit argued that the premise of How to Kill Your Family was too close to their own property. The studio was seeking unspecified financial damages and, crucially, an injunction that could have prevented the Netflix adaptation from being made.
The Story Behind “How to Kill Your Family”
The series is based on Bella Mackie’s bestselling 2021 satirical novel. It tells the story of Grace Bernard, the forgotten and illegitimate daughter of a ruthless billionaire named Simon Artemis. After her father rejects her and her mother, and her mother subsequently dies, Grace channeles her anger into a meticulously planned mission: she sets out to kill every member of her estranged father’s family.
The story is framed as Grace’s confession from a jail cell, where she is ironically imprisoned for a murder she did not commit. The novel is known for its dark humor and social satire, following Grace as she successfully carries out the murders of six family members while narrating her crimes with biting wit and no regret.
The Creative Team and Cast
The project brings together a notable team of talent from both in front of and behind the camera. Anya Taylor-Joy will not only star as the murderous Grace Bernard but will also serve as an executive producer through her company, LadyKiller Productions. This marks her first leading role in a Netflix series since her breakout performance in The Queen’s Gambit, which earned her a Golden Globe and a SAG Award.
The adaptation is being helmed by Sid Gentle Films Ltd., the production company behind the critically acclaimed series Killing Eve. The lead writer and executive producer is Emma Moran, the creator of the Disney+ series Extraordinary. Author Bella Mackie is also involved as a co-executive producer, ensuring the series stays true to the spirit of her book.
Taylor-Joy expressed her immediate connection to the story, saying, > “As soon as I turned the last page, I knew I had to be a part of bringing this story to life.”
Emma Moran also shared her excitement about writing for such a complex character, stating, > “She’s the kind of complicated, dark, but utterly hilarious antihero you dream of writing. Striking that balance between camp fun and brutal violence that Bella hits so perfectly in the book is a challenge I’m so looking forward to.”
What’s Next for the Series?
With the copyright lawsuit settled out of court and the details of the agreement kept confidential, the path is now clear for production to begin. The legal settlement means that StudioCanal has withdrawn its request for an injunction. While StudioCanal has confirmed the matter is resolved, they have declined to comment further on the terms.
Fans can expect the show to begin filming in 2026. As the project is still in its pre-production phase, no release date has been announced. The series will consist of eight episodes and will stream exclusively on Netflix.
Also Read: Anya Taylor-Joy Joins the Star-Studded Cast of Dune: Part 2
