The Vanessa Riley's novel is based on the true story of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas, a slave who bought her freedom and became one of the most powerful landowners in the Caribbean in the early 1800s.
- July 16, 2021
AceShowbiz - "Bridgerton" director Julie Anne Robinson and her leading lady Adjoa Andoh are teaming up to develop an adaptation of Vanessa Riley's new novel "Island Queen".
Robinson will direct, while Andoh will executive produce.
"Island Queen" is based on the true story of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas, who was born enslaved, bought her freedom, and became one of the wealthiest and most powerful landowners in the Caribbean in the early 1800s.
Andoh, who served as the narrator of Riley's audiobook, says, "In Island Queen, Vanessa has beautifully reintegrated the extraordinary history and perspective of an empowered black woman, into the wider story of Caribbean slavery and the British Empire. Putting history back into history, this is a story whose time is now. I am so excited to be working alongside Julie Anne again."
Robinson sounded off similar sentiment in her statement about the project. "Vanessa has crafted a groundbreaking and inspiring story that vividly depicts the remarkable life of Dorothy Thomas," she said. "We are so excited to be bringing it to the screen, and I could not be happier to have this opportunity to continue the collaboration with Adjoa that began on 'Bridgerton'."
Riley's novel was released by William Morrow earlier this month (July 2021). The award-winning author is well known for her works in historical fiction and historical romance genre that include the "Rogues & Remarkable Women" and "Advertisements for Love" series.
Andoh plays Lady Danbury on "Bridgerton", and will reprise the role for season 2. The adaptation news came just days after the hit Netflix series collected 12 nominations at the 2021 Emmy Awards.
