Channel 4 adapts Prof. Colla’s novel as television series

It’s not common for books by Georgetown faculty to get adapted for the screen, but Prof. Elliott Colla’s 2014 genre novel Baghdad Central was already an unusual step for a scholar. Now that it has been adapted by Euston Films/Channel 4 (UK), Colla’s work is reaching an even larger audience. 

The Financial Times calls Baghdad Central “a crime thriller that pulses with menace,” while Al Jazeera calls it “extremely captivating.” The National says it’s “a fresh, compelling and intelligent TV thriller featuring an all-star cast.” The Guardian gives it 4 out of 5 stars and writes: “After seven seasons of Homeland, it’s nice to see an Iraq war-set thriller that centres on Iraqi lives for a change. Nice because it’s the right thing for a socially conscious broadcaster to commission, but also just nice because it makes for some refreshingly original entertainment.”

For the moment, American audiences will have to enjoy the trailer. Baghdad Central doesn’t arrive on Hulu until March. 

You can read a University issued write up on Dr. Colla’s achievement here.