EXCLUSIVE: We hear that Netflix has optioned the novel Happy Place by Emily Henry for Jennifer Lopez’s Nuyorican. Plans to adapt the novel as a series are underway, and I understand producers and streaming executives are currently meeting with writers.
The news follows as Lopez’s Netflix movie Atlas clears 72.7M global views, another high for the actress and producer after her 2023 movie with the streamer, The Mother, which is the ninth-most-watched movie on Netflix with 136.4M. The multihyphenate’s Nuyorican Productions inked a multi-year first-look deal with Netflix spanning feature films, TV series and unscripted content back in 2021, with an emphasis on projects that support diverse female actors, writers and filmmakers.
Related Stories
Henry is a No. 1 New York Times and No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling author whose novels include Book Lovers, People We Meet on Vacation, and Beach Read.
The Berkley published Happy Place follows Harriet and Wyn, who’ve been a perfect couple since they met in college — they go together like salt and pepper, honey and tea, lobster and rolls. Except now, for reasons they’re still not discussing, they don’t. They broke up five months ago, and they still haven’t told their best friends. They find themselves sharing a bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their friend group’s yearly getaway for the past decade, and continue to lie through their teeth to their friends about their relationship status.
I understand that Natalie Haack Flores, VP Development at Nuyorican, brought the projects to the producers. Series producers will be Nuyorican’s Lopez, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and Benny Medina.
Lopez is repped by CAA, The Medina Co, and Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof and Fishman. UTA reps Henry.
Netflix did not return request for comment.