Two years ago, Ted Thompson’s 1st novel was published.
“The Land of Steady Habits” follows Anders Hill. In his early 60s and seemingly comfortable in Fairfield County, he suddenly abandons his career and family for a new condo and a new life.
It doesn’t happen the way he expects, of course. But neither did Thompson’s own life.
Ted Thompson
He entered Staples High School in 1997 as a lacrosse player and skier, and left it as a writer. Writing and directing his own play there was “a hugely transformative experience,” he says.
He studied playwriting at NYU, then earned a graduate degree in creative writing from the University of Iowa.
Thompson says that growing up in Westport — with “tremendous opportunity, plenty of encouragement, terrific schools” — helped form who he is today.
And much of Westport — the house he grew up in, cookouts at Compo Beach, the way the Post Road looks in winter — found its way into “The Land of Steady Habits.”
The novel earned him comparisons to Updike and Cheever. Now it’s being made into a Netflix movie.
Ben Mendelsohn (“Rogue One”) plays the lead. Edie Falco (“Sopranos”) and Thomas Mann also star, while Nicole Holofcener (“Enough Said”) directs.
No word yet on when filming begins. Eventually though, it will stream right here where it all began.
In the Land of Steady Habits.
(Hat tip: Kerry Long)
