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According to Variety, Universal Television has secured the rights to Catherine Adel West’s novel, Strangers Behind Closed Doors, and is developing it for television. The novel was released on June 9 from Park Row. LaToya Morgan will adapt the novel for television and executive produce under her first-look deal with Universal Television.
Malcolm D. Lee (The Best Man: The Final Chapters, Unfinished Business ) is attached to direct and executive produce through Blackmaled Productions, alongside Dominique Telson under the company’s first-look agreement with Universal Television. Lee said he was immediately drawn to the novel’s premise and knew he wanted to help bring the story to television. He added that partnering with LaToya Morgan strengthens the project with a dynamic creative team committed to delivering compelling storytelling.
Michael Allen will oversee the project for Blackmaled, while author Catherine Adel West will serve as a producer. Universal Television will produce the project as the studio.
Here's an exclusive, Novelpro Junkie statement from Catherine Adel West about the announcement:
"I'm still processing the news, my excitement, and the possibilities for the adaptation of Strangers Behind Closed Doors with Universal Television. I could tell that Malcolm D. Lee and the team at Blackmaled Productions really understood the characters, the themes, and the important social commentary surrounding the story. To also have LaToya Morgan attached is a dream! I'm truly grateful."
Here is the book synopsis of "Stranger Behind Closed Doors" by Catherine Adel West:
Giovanni Mason has spent years building a reputation strong enough to make history as the first Black head concierge at Chicago’s prestigious Ivory Hotel. Dedicated, meticulous, and disciplined, she has always kept her composure—until a heated confrontation with her former best friend, beauty influencer Natalie Moore, erupts publicly in the hotel restaurant.
When Natalie vanishes just hours later, suspicion quickly falls on Giovanni. A bloodstained hotel room, unexplained bruises, and a troubling gap in her memory make her the prime suspect.
But Detective Redding Stark believes there is more to the story. Noticing connections between Natalie’s disappearance and a disturbing pattern of missing Black women, Stark suspects a much larger conspiracy is at play. As she and Giovanni dig deeper, they uncover a dangerous network of privilege, corruption, and betrayal that extends far beyond the Ivory Hotel’s luxurious walls.
With time running out, Giovanni and Detective Stark must find Natalie before they become the next victims.
Malcolm D. Lee (The Best Man: The Final Chapters, Unfinished Business ) is attached to direct and executive produce through Blackmaled Productions, alongside Dominique Telson under the company’s first-look agreement with Universal Television. Lee said he was immediately drawn to the novel’s premise and knew he wanted to help bring the story to television. He added that partnering with LaToya Morgan strengthens the project with a dynamic creative team committed to delivering compelling storytelling.
Michael Allen will oversee the project for Blackmaled, while author Catherine Adel West will serve as a producer. Universal Television will produce the project as the studio.
Here's an exclusive, Novelpro Junkie statement from Catherine Adel West about the announcement:
"I'm still processing the news, my excitement, and the possibilities for the adaptation of Strangers Behind Closed Doors with Universal Television. I could tell that Malcolm D. Lee and the team at Blackmaled Productions really understood the characters, the themes, and the important social commentary surrounding the story. To also have LaToya Morgan attached is a dream! I'm truly grateful."
Here is the book synopsis of "Stranger Behind Closed Doors" by Catherine Adel West:
Giovanni Mason has spent years building a reputation strong enough to make history as the first Black head concierge at Chicago’s prestigious Ivory Hotel. Dedicated, meticulous, and disciplined, she has always kept her composure—until a heated confrontation with her former best friend, beauty influencer Natalie Moore, erupts publicly in the hotel restaurant.
When Natalie vanishes just hours later, suspicion quickly falls on Giovanni. A bloodstained hotel room, unexplained bruises, and a troubling gap in her memory make her the prime suspect.
But Detective Redding Stark believes there is more to the story. Noticing connections between Natalie’s disappearance and a disturbing pattern of missing Black women, Stark suspects a much larger conspiracy is at play. As she and Giovanni dig deeper, they uncover a dangerous network of privilege, corruption, and betrayal that extends far beyond the Ivory Hotel’s luxurious walls.
With time running out, Giovanni and Detective Stark must find Natalie before they become the next victims.
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