Caleb Azumah Nelson is bringing his novel Open Water to the small screen, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Azumah Nelson’s debut novel, published in the U.S. by Black Cat in 2021, follows two young Black British artists—one a photographer, one a dancer—who meet in a London pub and eventually fall in love. A critic for Kirkus wrote of the novel, which won the Costa First Novel Award, “Written in lyrical and propulsive prose, a searing debut.”
In addition to directing the eight-episode series, Azumah Nelson will serve as its head writer and executive producer. The show is being developed for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. The BBC is also developing a series based on Azumah Nelson’s second novel, Small Worlds.
“I can’t wait for viewers not only to meet Marcus and Effie, but to step into their world: their private, intimate spaces, their communities, their desires,” Azumah Nelson said. “I’m incredibly grateful to be telling this story at this time.” (Marcus and Effie are the two artists in the adaptation; they were unnamed in the novel.)
Azumah Nelson shared the news of the adaptation on Instagram, writing, “It’s been a real labour of love. So much work and so much more to come but I’m beyond excited to bring this show to you all.”
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
