Caleb Azumah Nelson will write, direct and executive produce the BBC adaptation of his debut novel ‘Open Water’.
The eight-part series is produced by Mam Tor Productions (a Banijay UK company) and B-Side Productions.
‘Open Water’ follows the relationship between store employee and aspiring photographer Marcus and dance student Effie.
“From the moment they meet, they feel an immediate, undeniable bond,” the logline reads. ‘But, as Marcus soon discovers, Effie is dating Marcus’ friend Samuel. It’s a line Marcus doesn’t want to cross. A shared project photographing and documenting black creatives in London brings them into each other’s orbit, but can their budding friendship resist the pull of desire?”
The series airs on BBC iPlayer and BBC One.
BBC drama director Lindsay Salt commissioned the series. Joining Azumah Nelson as executive producers are Tally Garner for Mam Tor Productions, Matimba Kabalika for B-Side Productions and Rebecca Ferguson and Danielle Scott-Haughton for the BBC. Banijay Rights represent worldwide sales.
“It was an absolute pleasure working with Mam Tor, B-Side and the BBC to adapt ‘Open Water’ for the big screen,” said Azumah Nelson. “I can’t wait for viewers to not only meet Marcus and Effie, but also step into their world: their private, intimate spaces, their communities, their desires. I am incredibly grateful to be able to tell this story at this time.”
Salt said: “’Open Water’ is a tender, daring and dazzling story about the dance of early love and being seen for who you really are. The response to Caleb’s book has been phenomenal, and we feel privileged to be working with him to bring this breathtaking romance to the BBC.”