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Variety learned that the planned adaptation of the novel "Americanah" by Lupita Nyong & # 39; o and Danai Gurira had been commissioned directly to the series.
HBO Max gave the limited series an order of 10 episodes. Nyong's will be the star of the series, Gurira writing the pilot and playing the role of showrunner.
Based on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's bestselling novel, "Americanah" tells the story of Ifemelu (Nyong & # 39; o), a beautiful and confident young woman of her, raised in Nigeria, who falls in love with his classmate Obinze. Living in a country under military rule, they leave each for the west, Ifemelu heading to America where, despite her academic success, she is forced to struggle for the first time with what it means to be black. . Quiet and thoughtful, Obinze had hoped to join her, but after the closure of America after September 11, he immersed himself in a dangerous undocumented life in London.
"Americanah's a project that has fascinated me since I read Chimamanda's wonderful novel in 2013," Nyong said. "It's a tale both contemporary and timeless, HBO Max is the perfect partner to bring this profound and famous story to life, and I'm delighted that Danai brings to the project his intelligence, his wit and his understanding of stories and worlds. from "Americanah"
Gurira and Nyong will both be executive producers, producing Nyong under its Eba Productions banner. Plan B Entertainment will also produce with Andrea Calderwood of Potboiler Television, Didi Rea and Danielle Del of D2 Productions, as well as the executive production of Nancy Won.
"Thanks to" Americanah ", Chimamanda has brought an African female voice to the dominant consciousness in an unprecedented way," Gurira said. "It's intellectually incisive, accusing, yet humorous and full of humanity, it makes voices heard unfamiliar, familiar, universal and yet precise.I am honored to be able to give life to his incredible novel on the screen "I'm thrilled to be collaborating, again with Lupita, who brings her astonishing ability as an interpreter and producer behind this project, and the unbridled enthusiasm of HBO MAX to bring this innovative story to the television audience."
Nyong's o had previously planned to adapt the novel to a film in which she would play alongside David Oyelowo. She revealed last year that plans had been modified to fit her instead.
"Americanah has unleashed a cultural phenomenon and is revered by fans around the world," said Sarah Aubrey, head of original content at HBO Max. "It has profoundly marked me as one of the most moving, socially relevant and romantic stories of our time." With exceptional talents like Lupita and Danai in front of and behind the camera, this series will offer viewers a unique, heartfelt and unforgettable experience. "
The series marks a meeting for Nyong & O & Gurira, who starred together in the hit movie Marvel "Black Panther". Nyong & # 39; o has already won an Oscar for his performance in "12 Years a Slave" and is also known for playing in such films as "We" and "Star Wars: Awakening the Force". "Americanah" will mark his first role on television.
Gurira is currently playing in the hit AMC series "The Walking Dead", although she is about to leave her in her tenth season ahead. She was nominated for a Tony Award for writing Broadway's "Eclipsed" show.
Nyong & o is replaced by CAA and Del Shaw. Gurira is replaced by UTA, Suskin Management and Jackoway Tyerman.
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