Tessa Thompson has launched a brand new production company — and the stunning actress has already secured a first-look deal at HBO and HBO Max and exec producing two big book adaptations – “Who Fears Death” and “The Secret Lives of Church Ladies.”
Her deal with the streaming platform will span two-years.
“I’m beyond thrilled to officially launch my production company, Viva Maude, which has been a real passion project and labour of love over the last few years. I’m elated to begin this partnership and to bring entertaining and impactful television projects to my friends and collaborators at HBO and HBO Max. Together we are committed to developing interesting and inclusive stories with inventive creators and to discover new voices and visionaries,” Thompson said in a statement via Deadline.
The “Sylvie’s Love” actress will exec produce these two projects in development at HBO and HBO Max as part of the deal.
According to the publication, “Who Fears Death” is an adaptation of Nnedi Okorafor’s eponymous book, and tells the coming of age tale of Onyesowu in post-apocalyptic North Africa where her story makes her an outcast. “She must go on a journey from self-reproach to love, but to do so she’ll have to overcome untold obstacles—defeating her hated sorcerer father and becoming the instrument of prophetic deliverance for a land of oppressed people, all the while fighting to master the terrifying powers growing inside her.”
The second production, “The Secret Lives of Church Ladies,” is based on a short story collection, written by Deesha Philyaw, centering around nine stories about Black women, church, and sexuality.
“The Secret Lives of Church Ladies explores the raw and tender places where Black women and girls dare to follow their desires and pursue a momentary reprieve from being good. The nine stories in this collection feature four generations of characters grappling with who they want to be in the world, caught as they are between the church’s double standards and their own needs and passions,” the synopsis reads.
