Bill Clinton's upcoming suspense novel to become Showtime series

LOS ANGELES: Former US President Bill Clinton’s debut novel will not hit shelves for almost a year, but it is already getting the TV treatment as Showtime said Friday that it would adapt the anticipated book into a series.

Clinton’s The President Is Missing — co-authored with prolific thriller writer James Patterson — will follow the sudden disappearance of a sitting US president and will draw on Clinton’s knowledge of holding the office.

It is due to be published in June 2018 and is the first time a US president has co-authored a thriller.

“I‘m really enjoying writing this book and working with Jim,” Clinton said in a statement. “And I can’t wait to see Showtime bring the characters to life.”

Showtime — the premium cable network owned by CBS Corp — did not give any details on casting or when the series might air.

The series is yet another high-profile addition to the growing landscape of television, which has drawn Oscar-winning film talent to create and star in shows.

Showtime President and CEO David Nevins said getting the television rights to the book was “a coup in the highest order”.