Tessa Thompson is working on another book adaptation. The “Westworld” actress, whose production company, Viva Maude, has a first-look deal at the sci-fi Western’s home, HBO (as well as HBO Max), is developing “Luster,” a series based on Raven Leilani’s best-selling debut novel. Thompson is hot off her leading role in “Passing,” Rebecca Hall’s feature based on Nella Larsen’s novel of the same name. The period pic leads in Gotham Award nominations alongside another actress’ feature directorial debut, Maggie Gyllenhaal’s “The Lost Daughter.”
“Scripting [for ‘Luster’ are] Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury (‘Fairview’), and Lileana Blain-Cruz, recipient of the Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award,” Deadline reports. “They are joint winners of the Obie Award for ‘Marys Seacole,’ and are among the founders of the exploratory theatre collaboration, Afrofemononomy.”
“Luster” tells the story of Edie, a “young Black artist living a precarious existence in New York City when she takes a white lover in an open marriage, eventually moving in with him and his wife in the suburbs. There she not only finds herself in an increasingly tense relationship with the couple, but also becoming an unlikely mentor to their adopted Black daughter Akila,” the source summarizes.
Thompson and Viva Maude’s Kishori Rajan are among the exec producers on the potential series. Viva Maude is teaming up with Gaumont on the project. At this point it is unclear if Thompson will star.
“Passing” is receiving Oscar buzz. It follows two Black women — both of whom are able to “pass” as white — as they navigate race, racism, deception, jealousy, and marriage. Ruth Negga co-stars.
Thompson’s upcoming slate includes “Creed III,” “Thor: Love and Thunder,” and “The Listener,” a contained film featuring only her character on-screen. She received an Emmy nod this year, her first, for “Sylvie’s Love.” The romance, which she exec produced and starred in, was up for Outstanding Television Movie.
