For all those naysayers who think About a Boy should be left to rest in peace after the successful film, consider this: Nicholas Hoult, who played the titular boy in the film at the age of 12, is now 24. Also, a film should count as dated simply for being critically acclaimed and also starring Hugh Grant. The TV adaptation of About a Boy hasn't found a home in the UK ahead of its US premiere, but hopefully it's only a matter of time. The plot still centres on immature bachelor Will Freeman (David Walton) and his bond with quirky 11-year-old Marcus (Benjamin Stockham), so it's going to be interesting to see what Parenthood's Jason Katims can do to revolutionise the familiar story for a new decade. The show does have some tricks up its sleeve, though, not least Minnie Driver in the role of Marcus' mother, probably the most complex character of Nick Hornby's novel. Hornby's High Fidelity successfully transferred from London on the page to Chicago on the big screen, so here's hoping that this American reinvention also keeps the wit and pathos, but brings the story up to date.
