Based on the novel ‘Americanah’ by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, ‘Black Panther’ stars Lupita Nyong’o and Danai Gurira are making their way back to the screens with a television adaptation of the novel.
Gurira, who has a background as a playwright will pen down the script, whiles the Oscar winning actress Nyong’o will feature in the miniseries as lead actress. News about the adaptation started way back 2014, when Lupita confirmed to The Guardian that she has secured rights from Chimamanda to develop the novel into a miniseries.
‘Americanah’ focuses on two young Nigerians who fall in love, and are then separated. While one moves to America to pursue a college degree, the other is unable to obtain a visa, and ends up in London, undocumented. Throughout the novel they hope to one day be reunited.
Of the forthcoming adaptation, Lupita disclosed, “It is such an honor to have the opportunity to bring Ms. Adichie’s brilliant book to the screen. Page after page, I was struck by Ifemelu and Obinze’s stories, whose experiences as African immigrants are so specific and also so imminently relatable. It is a thrilling challenge to tell a truly international story so full of love, humor and heart.”
The duo, Lupita and Danai for the last ten years have at least encountered each other on set under two different occasions, with one being a theater play written by Danai in 2009 and starred Lupita during its Broadway run. The play scored a nomination for best play at the Tony awards, but failed to pick up the winning prize. Fast-forward in 2018, the two reunited on the fantasy/sci-fi drama ‘Black Panther’, which made waves at the Oscars with three wins.
