Universal's Lights Out, Netflix’s Enigma
It’s Lights Out for Universal Television. The studio is optioning the rights to Elise Hart Kipness’ bestselling sports thriller, Lights Out, with Mary J. Blige attached as a producer through her Blue Butterfly Productions (Be Happy) banner. The story follows a former Olympic athlete turned sports reporter who is put on temporary leave amid a murder investigation that hits a little too close to home. Liz Friedlander, who’s directed episodes of shows like Apple TV’s Bad Monkey and Prime Video’s Fallout, is on board to direct the in-development series.
Netflix’s Enigma Variations is getting a major shakeup: Aaron Taylor-Johnson has replaced Jeremy Allen White in the lead role, marking his American TV debut. Based on the novel by André Acimon (writer: Call Me By Your Name), the Bullet Train actor will play Paul, a man shaped by the lovers who defined him over a decade of searching for connection. The limited series still remains in the hands of director Oliver Hermanus (Moffie), writer/showrunner Amanda Kate Shuman (wri: Wheel of Time), and Media Res (The Morning Show).
Jessica Jones’ Krysten Ritter is set to EP and star in a series adaptation of her own novel, Retreat. Teaming up with The Fight Attendant showrunner Steve Yockey and Berlanti Productions (You), the dark comedic thriller centers on a chameleon-like grifter who is forced to take on the identity of a wealthy dead woman. While she’s not a private investigator with super strength, I could see Ritter channeling Jessica Jones to take on another mysterious but sharp outsider.
Netflix’s next romance series adaptation is Carley Fortune’s This Summer Will Be Different. A sun-soaked romance set across multiple summers,” the series joins the streamer’s Canadian slate from production company Sphere Media (Netflix Canada’s Wayward). The show will stream globally.
Law & Order producer Kimberly Ann Harrison’s debut novel, Beyond the Paddock, has been acquired by Lion Forge Entertainment (Case for Kindness) for a YA series. The coming-of-age story follows two foster kids thrust into the elite world of competitive equestrian.