HBO Max’s adaptation of the novel Americanah has fully hit the brakes, now that Covid-related delays have led to a scheduling conflict for series lead Lupita Nyong’o.
Ordered to series in September 2019 and originally set to begin filming earlier this year — with Nyongo’s Black Panther castmate/Walking Dead alum Danai Gurira penning the pilot and showrunning the 10-episode adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s bestseller — Americanah follows a Nigerian woman named Ifemelu (Nyong’o) and “her extraordinary experiences with love, heartache, adversity and self-discovery” as she travels to America, per the official synopsis.
More from TVLineRichard Schiff: West...
Ordered to series in September 2019 and originally set to begin filming earlier this year — with Nyongo’s Black Panther castmate/Walking Dead alum Danai Gurira penning the pilot and showrunning the 10-episode adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s bestseller — Americanah follows a Nigerian woman named Ifemelu (Nyong’o) and “her extraordinary experiences with love, heartache, adversity and self-discovery” as she travels to America, per the official synopsis.
More from TVLineRichard Schiff: West...
- 10/15/2020
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
Americanah will not be moving forward at HBO Max.
The limited series had been a longtime passion project of Lupita Nyong’o who was set to star in and executive produce the adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s best-selling novel of the same name. Nyong’o’s Black Panther co-star Danai Gurira wrote the pilot and was to serve as showrunner.
According to sources, the decision to not proceed with Americanah was made after Oscar winner Nyong’o dropped out because of a scheduling conflict.
The show had received a 10-episode straight-to-series order at the streamer last year. It had been cast and ready to go when the coronavirus pandemic shutdown all production in March. The delays caused by the shutdown have scrambled the schedules of A-list talent who are usually booked a year or so in advance with little wiggling room.
Americanah tells the epic story of Ifemelu (Nyong’o), a young,...
The limited series had been a longtime passion project of Lupita Nyong’o who was set to star in and executive produce the adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s best-selling novel of the same name. Nyong’o’s Black Panther co-star Danai Gurira wrote the pilot and was to serve as showrunner.
According to sources, the decision to not proceed with Americanah was made after Oscar winner Nyong’o dropped out because of a scheduling conflict.
The show had received a 10-episode straight-to-series order at the streamer last year. It had been cast and ready to go when the coronavirus pandemic shutdown all production in March. The delays caused by the shutdown have scrambled the schedules of A-list talent who are usually booked a year or so in advance with little wiggling room.
Americanah tells the epic story of Ifemelu (Nyong’o), a young,...
- 10/15/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Lupita Nyong’o and Danai Gurira’s series adaptation of the Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie novel “Americanah” is no longer moving ahead as planned at HBO Max after Nyong’o was forced to exit the series, Variety has learned exclusively.
“Americanah” was originally meant to start shooting earlier this year, but the production dates were pushed back due to the Covid-19 pandemic. According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, Nyong’o then had to drop out as it conflicted with other projects on her schedule.
The show originally received a 10-episode straight-to-series order at the streamer last year. Both Nyong’o and Gurira were to serve as executive producers on the show, with Nyong’o starring and Gurira writing and serving as showrunner.
A long time passion project of Nyong’o’s, she had previously planned to adapt the novel into a film in which she would star alongside David Oyelowo.
“Americanah” was originally meant to start shooting earlier this year, but the production dates were pushed back due to the Covid-19 pandemic. According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, Nyong’o then had to drop out as it conflicted with other projects on her schedule.
The show originally received a 10-episode straight-to-series order at the streamer last year. Both Nyong’o and Gurira were to serve as executive producers on the show, with Nyong’o starring and Gurira writing and serving as showrunner.
A long time passion project of Nyong’o’s, she had previously planned to adapt the novel into a film in which she would star alongside David Oyelowo.
- 10/15/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
HBO Max has rounded out the lead cast for Americanah, its upcoming limited series based on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s best-selling novel of the same name. Newcomer Tireni Oyenusi is set as a series regular, joining previously announced Lupita Nyong’o, Zackary Momoh, Uzo Aduba and Corey Hawkins. Americanah tells the epic story of Ifemelu (Nyong’o), a young, beautiful, self-assured woman raised in Nigeria, who as a teenager falls in love with her classmate Obinze (Momoh). Living in a military-ruled country, they each depart for the west, with Ifemelu heading for America, where, despite her academic success, she is forced to grapple for the first time with what it means to be black. Quiet, thoughtful Obinze had hoped to join her, but with post-9/11 America closed to him, he instead plunges into a dangerous undocumented life in London. Oyenusi plays Dike, Aunty Uju’s (Aduba) son, who immigrated to America as an infant.
- 1/29/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
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