If you believe Hugh Howey, the television adaptation of his postapocalyptic book trilogy Silo may never get released, despite the millions of dollars and thousands of man-hours Apple TV+ has thrown at the production. Sure, the dystopian drama—which stars Rebecca Ferguson, Tim Robbins, and Rashida Jones and was produced by Justified creator Graham Yost—has a release date of May 5, and the show has already premiered at Cannes and in London, but the author still isn’t ready to call it a done deal.
“To be honest,” Howey says, “it’s still a gradual process. I think it’ll probably hit me on June 30, the day the finale airs. Even when I walked onto the set of the show for the first time in England, I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, are we really doing this?’”
It’s an understandable feeling, given Silo’s long road to the screen. The series first emerged via a short story, “Wool,” in 2011, which gradually grew in size, scope, and popularity as more of Howey’s universe began to unfold via Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing system. In 2012 it was optioned by 20th Century Fox and set to become a movie, with Ridley Scott attached as one of the producers. That deal was thwarted thanks to Disney’s acquisition of Fox, and the project shuffled off to series limbo at AMC.
A couple of years later, it moved once again, to Apple TV+, where Yost, Ferguson, and director Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game) were attached, and the rest is history. This month, fans will be thrust into a world of subterranean crime, intrigue, and falsehoods, all buried well underground.
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WIRED talked to Howey about Silo’s long gestation, the recent wave of AI mania, and why everyone’s got dystopia fever.
WIRED: You’ve been working on a potential Silo adaptation for more than a decade now. What does it feel like to finally have this out in the world?
Hugh Howey: In the last week, I’ve gotten really excited. In the past, I’ve been nervous about readers being satisfied, and about whether we can get people who aren’t familiar with the books interested in the show. But about a week ago, I started getting the first messages from people who have seen all 10 episodes, and everyone who reached out to me has been raving about it.
You’ve written extensively about artificial intelligence, including a piece you did for WIRED. Where are you at with AI now?
I think there’s a mix of excitement and fear out there now, but I lean more toward excitement. I think people that I’ve talked to who are scared didn’t realize this was going to happen.
It’s really exploded in the public consciousness in the past few months, but it’s something you’ve been thinking about for years.
I’ve been writing and blogging about this for a while, though I said I didn’t know what the timing would be. I think on my blog three or four years ago, I said that in the next 10 years, a computer would write a book that’s indistinguishable from that of a human author. Some people didn’t believe that, and so now they’re really scared, whereas I’ve been gradually getting more comfortable with the idea for over a decade.
Hugh Howey’s Silo trilogy has finally made its way to the small screen, with an adaptation premiering on Apple TV+. The show has been a long time in the making, with the series first emerging as a short story called “Wool” back in 2011. Over the years, the story grew in popularity, leading to its optioning by 20th Century Fox in 2012. Ridley Scott was even attached as a producer for a potential movie adaptation. However, the deal fell through after Disney acquired Fox, and the project ended up in limbo at AMC.
Fortunately, the Silo adaptation found its new home with Apple TV+. The show boasts an impressive cast, including Rebecca Ferguson, Tim Robbins, and Rashida Jones, as well as the creative talents of Justified creator Graham Yost. After premiering at Cannes and London, the series is set to be released on May 5. However, author Hugh Howey remains cautious and is hesitant to consider it a done deal.
Howey’s cautiousness is understandable, considering the lengthy and unpredictable journey the Silo adaptation has taken. From its humble beginnings as a short story, the story expanded through Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing system, gaining popularity and establishing a dedicated fan base. The transition to a visual medium saw the project go through different hands and studios, facing obstacles and setbacks along the way. But now, after years of waiting, Silo is finally ready to be experienced by fans.
When asked about his feelings regarding the adaptation’s release, Howey admits that he has experienced a mix of nervousness and excitement. He worried about whether the show would satisfy readers and attract new viewers who were unfamiliar with the books. However, his concerns began to dissipate as he received positive feedback from those who had already seen all 10 episodes. With rave reviews pouring in, Howey’s excitement continues to grow.
In addition to his success as an author, Howey is known for his keen interest in the subject of artificial intelligence. He has written extensively about AI and even contributed an article to WIRED on the topic. Howey’s views on AI have evolved over time, albeit leaning more towards excitement than fear. While some people have been taken aback by the rapid advancements and potential consequences of AI, Howey has been gradually growing more comfortable with the idea for over a decade.
In one of his blog posts from a few years ago, Howey made the bold prediction that within the next 10 years, a computer would write a book that would be indistinguishable from a book written by a human author. This prediction, initially met with skepticism, has gained credibility as AI continues to push boundaries and blur the lines between machine and human creativity. Howey’s forward-thinking perspective on AI allows him to embrace the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.
In the end, the release of the Silo adaptation is the culmination of a long and arduous journey for Hugh Howey. From the early days of “Wool” to its evolution into a book trilogy and eventual adaptation for television, Silo has come a long way. As fans eagerly await the release of the series, Howey can finally experience the satisfaction of seeing his vision come to life on screen. While there may still be a lingering sense of uncertainty, the overwhelming positive response from early viewers is undoubtedly an encouraging sign.
