Towards the end of 2017, “Cat Person” took social media by storm. Kristen Roupenian’s viral New Yorker short story about a 20-year-old woman’s evolving relationship with an older man inspired countless conversations and heated debates about modern dating, gender dynamics, and consent. Roupenian’s debut short story collection, “You Know You Want This,” won’t be published until next year, but HBO already has an adaptation of the buzzy book in development. “The Leftovers” alumnae Carly Wray and Lila Byock are writing and executive producing the anthology series, Deadline reports.
“You Know You Want This” will “explore the complex and often dark and funny connections between gender, sex, and power across genres.” “Cat Person” is part of the collection but isn’t included in the deal with HBO.
Wray and Byock reportedly “brought the book to HBO to develop as a potential anthology series that prioritizes female voices – writers, directors, and actors.” The premium cable network prides itself on being an innovator in the medium, but 66.7 percent of episodes to air on HBO in the 2016-17 season were directed by white men, according to research from the DGA.
Wray and Byock met in the writers’ room for “The Leftovers.” Wray’s credits include “Westworld,” “Mindhunter,” and “Mad Men.” Byock wrote for WGN’s short-lived historical drama “Manhattan” and is part of the writing team for “Castle Rock,” Hulu’s upcoming Stephen King adaptation.
“You Know You Want This” hits shelves January 2019. Earlier this month A24 bought a spec script from Roupenian, “Bodies Bodies Bodies.” Details are being kept under wraps, but it’s a horror story.