Transcendent Kingdom comes to Sony

Nigerian-American actor Yvonne Orji (Insecure, Vacation Friends) is set to develop Ghanaian-American author Yaa Gyasi’s 2020 novel Transcendent Kingdom into a TV series for Hollywood studio Sony Pictures Television.

Transcendent Kingdom follows an aspiring neuroscientist who balances her life in California’s Bay Area with memories of her upbringing in rural Alabama as a first-generation Ghanaian, embarking on a quest driven by scientific inquiry and the search for spiritual understanding.

Orji said: “Been chasing this story for four solid years and will continue to ride hard for it ‘til it’s on your television screens worldwide. You can bank on it. Shout out to Sony Pictures Television for believing in the vision from JUMP (no hesitation!) and much love to Yaa Gyasi for trusting me with one of her babies. Naija and Ghana Jollof can be united for the greater good.

“And to execs and networks – please don’t sleep on African stories. They are worthy to be told. They are worthy to be invested in. And there is a global audience for them. Bank on us.”

Orji is best known for her role in the HBO television series Insecure for which she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award and three NAACP Image Awards. Additionally, she hosted and executive produced the reality series My Mom Your Dad on HBO Max. Furthermore, she launched two comedy specials on HBO: Momma, I Made It in 2020, followed by A Whole Me two years later.