'Who Fears Death' is set in a fictionalized version of post-apocalyptic Sudan, where the country's class system is divided not only by race, but by tone of skin.
- July 11, 2017
AceShowbiz -
HBO is currently in early development of a series adaptation of science-fiction novel "Who Fears Death". The author of the novel, Nnedi Okorafor, has taken to her Facebook page to share the news, adding that George R. R. Martin is attached to executive produce the potential series.
"I'm finally free to announce this: My World Fantasy Award winning novel 'WHO FEARS DEATH' has been optioned by HBO and is now in early development as a TV series with George R. R. Martin as executive producer," Okorafor wrote. "Note: This did not happen overnight. It's been nearly 4 years coming."
The author added in the comment section, "I am very involved. i also know george well (we met in 2014 and stayed in touch); he's been a sort of mentor to me through all this. and all those involved know what this story is." She went on asserting that Onyesonwu, the main character in the novel, "is in good good hands."
"Who Fears Death", which won 2011's World Fantasy Award for Best Novel and 2010's Carl Brandon Kindred Award for science fiction, is set in a fictionalized version of post-apocalyptic Sudan, where the country's class system is divided not only by race, but by tone of skin. The light-skinned tribe Nuru is higher on the chain and has enslaved a darker-skinned tribe Okeke. A young girl of mixed color, born from a rape, develops magical powers and soon becomes that target of a powerful force.
Martin is also set to produce a slew of HBO potential series which will be set in "Game of Thrones" universe. In addition, Syfy ordered a pilot based on Martin's novella "Nightflyers".
