Is the Apple TV Plus The Big Door Prize based on a book?

Figuring out what we want to do and who we want to be is an arduous, lifelong journey. But what if the potential of our lives was at our fingertips? What if, for the price of just a quarter, we could reveal the reason we were brought to earth? In the Apple TV Plus series by David West Read The Big Door Prize, small-town residents suddenly feel inspired to take the road less traveled when a mysterious machine shows up at a convenience store. The “Morpho” machine promises to reveal each person’s true potential by spitting out personal cards with labels like “Healer” and “Superstar.”

It doesn’t take long for motivated residents to start changing their jobs, relationships, and beliefs in hopes of pursuing their destiny. Whether the mystifying device creates magic or random chatter, it wakes people up.

With Chris O’Dowd (bridesmaids), Djouliet Amara (bloody hell), Josh Segarra (scream VI), Gabrielle Dennis (A black lady sketch show) and Damon Gupton (The player), among other, The Big Door Prize Premiering on March 29, 2023.

With such a revealing, imaginative premise, it’s easy to wonder if The Big Door Prize based on a book (isn’t that all these days?). Let’s talk about the origins of the hopeful dramedy.

The 10-part series is based on the 2020 book of the same name by New York Times Bestselling author MO Walsh.

The synopsis of the novel is as follows:

“What would you do if you knew the potential of your life? That’s the question residents of Deerfield, Louisiana face when the DNAMIX machine shows up at their local grocery store. It’s really nothing to look at – it resembles a simple photo booth. But its promise is amazing: With just a quick swab from your cheek and two dollars, the device claims to use the science of DNA to tell you your life’s potential.

The book’s seemingly content protagonists, Douglas and Cherilyn Hubbard, suddenly realize there’s more to life. What is real happiness anyway? Along with the consequences and rewards of staying true to yourself, that’s what The Big Door Prize goes on a search.

Also author of Pat Conroy’s Southern Book Prize-winning novel my sunshine goneMO Walsh’s writing was presented The New York Times, The guard, Oxford American, The Southern ReviewAnd Best New American Voicesper Penguin Random House.

According to his bio, the University of Mississippi graduate is currently the director of the Creative Writing Workshop at the University of New Orleans.

MO Walsh’s heartfelt book entered the life of Emmy-winner David West Read – best known as the writer and executive producer of the hit sitcom Schott’s Creek – in a transformative time.

“A friend gave me this book in February [2020]and thought it might be my thing,” said David slash movie. Just a month later everything changed.

“This book about what happens when you hit a pause button in life and actually stop and think about where you are and where you thought you could be and where you could still be… it feels like it was before the pandemic and after that, in general in life, we all rushed forward without even a moment to stop and think and reevaluate,” he shared.

“And then all of a sudden we all stopped and thought and reconsidered. And so I found jumping off my seat for a series really interesting, and the prescient nature of the book was really interesting to me.”

Although much of the series stays true to the book, David West Read decided to change the source material a bit. For example, he avoided shooting the series in a small town in Louisiana because “there are political implications of setting it in a certain part of America.”

“I like the idea that this city is a bit like a bubble that any city could be, so our themes could be more universal,” he explained.

Also, Dusty’s midlife crisis has been reworked.

“I really enjoy things that are a little left of center. So for Dusty’s midlife crisis, instead of a convertible and an electric guitar, it’s a scooter and a theremin.”

In particular, the theremin (an electronic musical instrument invented in 1920) is said to be a metaphor for Dusty’s aimless journey.

“They don’t really know how it works. You can’t really see how it works, but when you use it, you stretch your hand into an unknown space and make contact with something, with electromagnetic waves. And there’s a kind of magic and mystery to this musical instrument that feels like it adds to the experience of the city,” he continued.

Experience the high-concept wonder of The Big Door Prize on Apple TV Plus. The first three episodes are currently streaming.