LOS ANGELES — In what is being described as a “glittery weirdness” of a premise, A24 has secured the rights to the unreleased heist novel White Smoke, with Academy Award nominee Benedict Cumberbatch attached to star and executive produce.
The deal, confirmed on Thursday, April 23, 2026, followed an intense multi-studio bidding war for the property. The series marks a major collaboration between the indie powerhouse A24 and Cumberbatch’s production banner, SunnyMarch, as the actor continues his streak of prestige television projects following 2024’s Eric.
The Plot: Robbing the Papal Conclave
While the novel by Nick Brucker (a pseudonym for acclaimed sci-fi author Nicholas Binge) isn’t scheduled for publication until 2027, the “high-concept” logline has already electrified the industry.
- The Setting: The series takes place inside the Vatican during a papal conclave—the secretive, locked-door process where the College of Cardinals gathers to elect a new Pope.
- The Heist: Amidst the solemn historical ritual and the watchful eyes of the world, a group of elite, duplicitous con men and thieves attempt the impossible: stealing the Vatican’s most guarded and priceless treasures.
- The Role: Cumberbatch is set to lead the ensemble as the mastermind of the heist, though specific character details remain under wraps.
Why TV Instead of Film?
Industry insiders suggest that A24 opted for a television series format to allow for a “slow-burn, multi-book” narrative. Brucker’s White Smoke is reportedly intended as the first in a trilogy, providing a long-run potential that a single feature film could not capture.
”Every now and then you encounter a premise that manages to bypass the frontal cortex entirely,” noted a report from The AV Club. “Benedict Cumberbatch as a thief robbing the Vatican in the midst of a papal conclave? You felt the allure, didn’t you?”
A24’s “Commercial” Expansion
The acquisition of White Smoke aligns with A24’s recent strategy to move beyond arthouse dramas into more “commercial” and “big IP” territory. This project joins a growing slate of high-profile adaptations for the studio, including a recently announced TV version of the TikTok sensation Boyfriend Material.
For author Nicholas Binge (writing as Nick Brucker), this marks his third project to receive the Hollywood treatment in as many years. His previous novels Ascension and Dissolution are currently in film development, solidifying him as one of the most sought-after voices in modern thriller fiction.
With Cumberbatch fresh off a busy 2025—which included Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme and the thriller The Roses—White Smoke is poised to be one of the most anticipated streaming events of the late 2020s.
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