Toronto-based White Pine Pictures has optioned the scripted rights to Ronald J. Deibert’s non-fiction book Chasing Shadows: Cyber Espionage, Subversion, and the Global Fight for Democracy.

The book, originally published by Simon and Schuster on February 4, 2025, details the work of the interdisciplinary Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs. Founded by Deibert, the lab has provided support to journalists investigating the use of Pegasus spyware on human rights advocates, politicians and other journalists.

White Pine president Peter Raymont (pictured) tells Playback Daily the deal was arranged by Michael Levine at Westwood Creative Artists, with plans to adapt the book as a fictional drama series.

“Both [of us] felt this should be a drama series. It should be done in a fictional way,” Raymont says, in order to protect the people that work with Deibert. “They’ve received death threats, and try to keep a low profile.”

He plans to meet with broadcasters and streamers at the upcoming Banff World Media Festival to discuss the project.

Photo by Peter Bregg