Feral: Shirley Conran's 1980s survival novel Savages getting Netflix adaptation with Jessica Gunning and Michelle Dockery
"A wild, messy journey of self-discovery"
Netflix has confirmed a brand new drama called Feral, based on the bestselling Shirley Conran novel Savages.
It’s early days for the production. But, if the cast and plot are anything to go by, it looks set to be an unmissable adaptation of the book written by the late Vanity Fair columnist.
Shirley Conran’s 1987 adventure novel centres on five spoiled corporate wives who must learn to survive in a hostile jungle after a political coup…
And it’s every bit as funny as it sounds. Here’s everything you need to know about new Netflix drama Feral, including plot, cast, filming location, and start date.
What is the plot of Feral?
Netflix describe Feral as a “thrilling, darkly funny story of adventure and survival”.
Viewers are introduces to four very different women, who accompany their mining executive husbands on a corporate holiday to a beautiful but “lethal” tropical island.
When the men’s shady deals land them all in danger, the women must learn to survive the jungle – and each other. Can they put aside their differences, self-doubts and vanities to stay alive?
Is it based on a book?
Feral is based on Shirley Conran’s best-selling 1980s novel, Savages. The book was first published in 1987, and followed five wealthy, pampered wives who accompany their high-powered mining-executive husbands on a business trip to a remote South Pacific island (Paui).
However, when a violent military coup breaks out, the rebels execute the executives. Their terrified wives escape to the jungle in a small boat. Their pleasure trip becomes a nightmare…
Stranded without wilderness skills and driven by mutual resentment, the women battle the harsh environment, cannibalistic tribes, and their own dark impulses to survive.
Although not as adored as her earlier novel Laces, the book became a bestseller. Shirley Conran sadly died in May 2024 at the age of 91. Alongside her writing career, she gained recognition as the wife of British designer Terence Conran and the mother of Jasper Conran.
Shirley worked as a designer with Terence Conran. After they married, she subsequently became women’s editor of The Observer and the Daily Mail, launching its Femail section. After a serious illness left her with ME, she found it difficult to work. She went on to write books including the bestselling feminist self-help Superwoman (1975) and Lace (1982).
Who wrote Feral?
British writer Jude Mack has adapted the 1987 novel, but you might know her best as an actress. She’s most famous for playing Diana Mitford in Clash of Futures, Natasha Hayes in The Capture, and Katie ‘Boots’ Quinn in Ted Lasso. TV fans will also know her for her appearances in Prime Target, Playing Nice, Such Brave Girls, and I Hate Suzie.
Jude Mack, who also executive produces the drama, said: “Feral is a wild, messy journey of self-discovery. It’s a complete dream to be carrying Shirley Conran’s torch alongside Hera and Netflix. I can’t wait for people to meet these funny, brutal, bold women. I’m obsessed with them and hope audiences will be too.”
Who’s in the cast?
Netflix has now announced the leading cast for Feral, and it includes some of TV faves.
Downton Abbey’s Michelle Dockery will play Julia, opposite Baby Reindeer’s Jessica Gunning as Annie. Andor’s Genevieve O’Reilly will play Silvana, alongside Prime Target’s Quintessa Swindell.
Additional casting includes Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed actress Dolly de Leon who stars as Elena.
What does Feral actually mean?
While the Shirley Conran book is called Savages, the Netflix adaptation has changed the name to Feral. The word feral has a slightly different bite. And we mean that quite literally.
While the word savage primarily means wild, fierce, or untamed, feral means something similar. But it’s a word usually used in connected with animals – or humans only when they’re “living in a wild state after being domesticated”.
You wouldn’t use it about a person unless you really disliked them!
‘The extraordinary female characters at the heart of the show will be pushed to extremes’
Talking about the series, Executive Producer Liza Marshall said: “We’re delighted to be working with the incredibly talented Jude Mack to bring Shirley Conran’s best-selling novel to the screen.
“The extraordinary female characters at the heart of the show will be pushed to extremes, behave deliciously badly and have a whole lot of fun along the way. Emma Freeman is the perfect director to take us on the ride. And Netflix have wholeheartedly embraced the scale and ambition of the show.”
How many episodes is it?
Feral is a new seven-episode drama series based on Shirley Conran’s best-selling novel, Savages.
Each episodes is an hour long.
Where is Feral being filmed?
Filming will commence in Australia this year.
While the book is set on the South Pacific island of Paui, there is actually no such island.
When’s the start date?
Feral is in the very early stages of development. Cast and crew will begin filming later this year.
So, sadly, we’ll have a wait until it arrives on our screens. Expect it to stream in 2027.
