UK prodco options Nigerian novels

The UK’s Big Talk Productions is working on a TV show based on Nigerian author Leye Adenle’s series of crime novels.

The TV rights to Adenle’s books have been acquired by Big Talk Productions and Turnover Films in a deal brokered by CMM Agency’s Lisa Moylett.

Adenle’s ‘Amaka’ series, which includes Easy Motion Tourist and When Trouble Sleeps, focuses on heroine Amaka and her battle against corruption among rich politicians in Victoria Island, who seek control over the busy and violent streets of Ojuelegba.

Turnover Films is led by Guerilla and Top Boy producer Yvonne Ibazebo, who said: “I’ve long been a fan of Leye Adenle’s books and I’m really pleased to be working with Big Talk to bring these electrifying novels about modern-day, mega-city Lagos to the small screen.”

Big Talk Productions executive producer Luke Alkin added: “Leye Adenle’s extraordinary novels bring modern-day Lagos to life in all its vivid extremes. This is rich material for a ground-breaking and ambitious series about contemporary African lives that will appeal to international audiences.”

Adenle said: “I’m so excited that Big Talk and Yvonne have optioned the Amaka series – almost as excited as the thought of watching Amaka on telly.”

tagged in: Big Talk Productions, Leye Adenle, Turnover Films, Yvonne Ibazebo