Working Title, the powerhouse manufacturing firm behind British rom-com staples Bridget Jones, Notting Hill, and Love Really, has formally optioned the movie rights to Bolu Babalola’s bestselling novel Honey & Spice.
The information marks one other main milestone for the British-Nigerian creator, who may also adapt the screenplay, her debut function movie script.
Honey & Spice follows Kiki Banjo, a pointy, savvy, and romance-averse Black British college pupil whose world is upended when she unexpectedly lands in a pretend relationship with the very man she cautioned her buddies to keep away from. Balancing humour, coronary heart, and a refreshingly grounded portrayal of younger Black British life, the novel struck a strong chord with international audiences.
Since its publication, Honey & Spice has turn into a transatlantic success story. The novel was chosen for Reese Witherspoon’s E book Membership, championed by TikTok’s BookTok neighborhood, and named a E book of the Yr by Waterstones, The New York Occasions, TIME, and NPR. It additionally took house the inaugural TikTok E book of the Yr Award.
Babalola mentioned: “Since Honey and Spice was printed, I’ve been so appreciative of the unimaginable response from readers and the trade alike. As my debut novel, Kiki and Malakai’s story is so near my coronary heart, and I can’t wait to adapt their trials and tribulations in love for cinema audiences with the grasp of romantic movies: Working Title.”
Babalola first made her mark with the acclaimed brief story assortment Love In Color, which turned a Occasions bestseller and was shortlisted for Waterstones E book of the Yr. Her most up-to-date novel, Candy Warmth, printed this summer time, continues to cement her standing as one of many UK’s main modern storytellers.
With Working Title on the helm and Babalola guiding the screenplay, Honey & Spice is ready to convey a contemporary, joyful, and culturally wealthy tackle the rom-com style to the massive display. We’ll be watching carefully as this one develops.