Over vampire stories about white teen girls falling for even paler immortal dudes? “The Gilda Stories” may be just the inclusive genre story you’re looking for. Published in 1991, Jewelle Gomez’s novel centers on Gilda, an escaped black slave and bisexual vampire as she comes of age over 200 years of African American history. Nearly three decades after its release, the book is coming to the small screen. Film company 13th Gen acquired the option to the book and is developing it for episodic TV, a press release announced. On board to serve as showrunner is Cheryl Dunye, best known as the trailblazing writer, director, and star of 1996’s “The Watermelon Woman,” recognized as the first feature to be helmed by a black lesbian.

“We are thrilled to bring ‘The Gilda Stories’ to a whole new generation of fans under the unique stewardship of our longtime creative collaborator Cheryl Dunye,” said 13th Gen CEO Marc Smolowitz, who will executive produce the series.

Dunye added, “Jewelle Gomez is the foremother of Afrofuturism, which is wildly popular right now. The project of bringing a Jewelle Gomez novel to film or television has long been a dream of mine, and with ‘The Gilda Stories,’ we have the perfect vehicle to bring her uniquely magical and transgressive voice to episodic audiences everywhere.”

A 25th Anniversary edition of “The Gilda Stories” was released in 2016. Its publication inspired Dunye to approach Gomez about working together. “‘Gilda’ has seduced a legion of loyal fans over many years. Having marveled at Cheryl Dunye’s impressive career since her first film ‘The Watermelon Woman,’ I know that she is just the filmmaker to ensure ‘Gilda’ gains many more,” Gomez emphasized.

Episodes of “Queen Sugar,” “Claws,” and “The Fosters” are among Dunye’s recent credits.