In 2005, McCarten adapted his second novel, The English Harem, for the screen. It was broadcast on ITV in December 2005. In 2007, he wrote the novel Death of a Superhero, then adapted the screenplay, executive produced the film, and now a stage musical. His fourth novel, Show Of Hands, was published in Europe, and in the US by Simon and Schuster in 2009. McCarten has already directed the big screen adaptation and the movie had its world premiere at the Montreal World Film Festival, 2008, and was nominated for Best Picture and Best Director at the New Zealand Film Awards.