Universal Television has acquired Catherine Adel West’s new novel “Strangers Behind Closed Doors” for development, Variety has learned exclusively.
The novel is due to be released on June 9 by Park Row. LaToya Morgan (“Turn: Washington’s Spies,” “The Walking Dead”) is attached to adapt the book for the screen and executive produce under her mini first-look deal with UTV. Malcolm D. Lee (“The Best Man: The Final Chapters,” “Harlem”) will direct and executive produce via Blackmaled Productions along with Dominique Telson under that company’s first-look deal with UTV. Michael Allen will oversee the project for Blackmaled. West will serve as producer, with UTV acting as the studio.
“I knew Malcolm and his team at Blackmaled Productions had the best vision for my book and would do everything they could to bring it to life,” West said. “With Universal Television, I can’t think of a better home for ‘Strangers Behind Closed Doors!’”
The official logline for the project states, “After a public blowup with a former friend, the first Black head concierge at Chicago’s most exclusive hotel becomes the prime suspect in that woman’s disappearance—until a determined detective, Redding Stark, teams up with her to expose a dangerous conspiracy targeting Black women.”
“From the moment we heard the premise of Catherine’s book we leaned in and knew we had to be a part of bringing this incredible story to television,” Lee said. “And getting to team up with LaToya Morgan makes this a powerhouse package of rich storytelling.”
In addition to “Strangers Behind Closed Doors,” West has written the novels “Saving Ruby King” and “The Two Lives of Sara.” Her short story “Orion’s Star” was featured in the body-positive anthology “Every Body Shines.”
Morgan is repped by WME and Eclipse Law. Blackmaled Productions is represented by IAG, Del Shaw Moonves and Bazan Entertainment. West is repped by MGMT. Entertainment and the Laura Dail Literary Agency.
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