Actor Benedict Cumberbatch will star in Dylan Southern's adaptation of Max Porter's acclaimed novel Grief is the Thing With Feathers.

According to Deadline, the story will revolve around a father and his couple of young sons dealing with the sudden demise of their wife and mother. Cumberbatch will play the role of the father. And a mysterious creature, known as Crow, becomes a pivotal part of their lives, ultimately guiding them towards the new shape family must take.

The film adaptation is produced by Andrea Cornwell with SunnyMarch's Adam Ackland and Leah Clarke. The script was developed with Film4, which will executive produce and co-finance.