Over the last several months, love stories and Romances have seen a resurgence on the big screen. With a plethora of books out there to choose from, there is no shortage of adaptations. The only problem is there is still a huge gap when it comes to diversity. That’s why we are thrilled that Kennedy Ryan’s book Before I Let Go has finally gotten the green light from Peacock.
If you’ve been following our site for a while, you know we have been keeping our eyes on Kennedy Ryan for updates on her books being adapted since 2021. During that time, we learned that her Hoops and All the King’s Men series were in the works. Then the news went quiet. Fast forward to 2023, when it was announced that Before I Let Go from her Skyland series would be adapted. And now, three years later, we’ve gotten some of the best news ever.
More: Kennedy Ryan’s Book Before I Let Go Is Being Adapted By Peacock
According to Deadline, sisters and From Scratch co-creators Attica and Tembi Locke are set as scriptwriters and showrunners. Malcolm D. Lee, whom we previously mentioned as the director, wrote the pilot with Kennedy Ryan. The series centers on Yasmen and Josiah Wade, a divorced couple who can’t seem to let go of each other. They’ve experienced a lot of unexpected grief in their lives, but one thing remains true: they will always love each other.
“Getting the chance to bring the Skyland series to life onscreen is a dream come true. I’m excited about what this remarkable team is creating. Co-writing the pilot with Malcolm D. Lee and now imagining this world with Attica and Tembi is more than I even knew to ask for. These characters have meant so much to so many readers, and none of this would be possible without the people who have supported my work for years. I’m incredibly grateful and excited to find a new audience for these books that have changed my life,” said Ryan.
As a Kennedy Ryan fan, I couldn’t be more excited about this adaptation. And I think the Locke sisters are the perfect choice to deliver alongside Lee. I haven’t seen From Scratch, but I have heard it is a beautiful and heartbreaking story. People are still talking about it. Though it has been a long time coming for a Kennedy Ryan project to be developed; I understand.
Kennedy Ryan is an extremely talented author. She also does her homework. I know she really sat down and spent a lot of time planning and strategizing to get her books adapted in a way that remains true to what she wrote. She’s also very aware of the market she’s up against. Romance adaptations are popular, but they’re also oversaturated with stories featuring non-POC characters written by non-POC authors. That’s only increasing with this new era of getting rid of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Don’t get me wrong, I am a fan of some of these stories and authors as well. But as a Black woman, I want to see stories that also recognize people who look like me. We fall in love and go through things just like anyone else. Our stories deserve to be told, and I truly believe that Kennedy Ryan is the perfect person to remind people of this. I am looking forward to learning more about Before I Let Go, including who will be our Yasmen and Josiah. I also hope this series leads to more series by authors of color being adapted. And I am also secretly still holding out for Kennedy Ryan’s The Kingmaker series to be developed
Attica Locke, Tembi Locke, Kennedy Ryan, Malcolm D. Lee, Dominique Telson, Mike Jackson, John Legend, and Debra Martin Chase will all be executive producers of Before I Let Go.
