Jhumpa Lahiri’s ‘Unaccustomed Earth’ Will Be In Netflix
Netflix is adapting Jhumpa Lahiri’s award-winning Unaccustomed Earth into a drama series, led by John Wells with Madhuri Shekar and Nisha Ganatra. Expect a soapy, emotional saga of love and belonging set in Cambridge’s Indian-American community.
It seems the powers that be at Netflix have struck once again, this time with a rather intriguing project: an adaptation of Jhumpa Lahiri’s award-winning short story collection Unaccustomed Earth. The upcoming drama series is set to be penned by none other than the prolific John Wells, a man with an impressive portfolio, having worked on everything from ER to Animal Kingdom and Maid. And, just in case you were wondering, Wells will be taking on the double role of writer and showrunner, and, as if that weren’t enough, he’s also serving as executive producer.
The plot? Well, the series promises to be a sweeping, soapy drama that delves into the heart of an insular Indian-American community, navigating the complexities of love, desire, and belonging. Set in the tightly-knit world of Cambridge, Massachusetts, it follows a scandalous affair between a devoted wife and her long-lost love, making for a storyline steeped in emotional turmoil and, of course, plenty of intrigue. Think Pride and Prejudice, but with a modern twist, and a dash more drama than you can shake a stick at.
Joining Wells on this ambitious venture is Madhuri Shekar, a co-writer and co-producer whose previous work on 3 Body Problem has earned her a rather impressive reputation. The first episode will be directed by Nisha Ganatra, whose directorial skills will hopefully bring just the right amount of flair to the series. The show is produced under the banner of John Wells Productions, with Lahiri herself, along with Erica Saleh, Erin Jontow, and Celia Costas, rounding out the list of executive producers.
If you think this all sounds familiar, you’re not wrong. Unaccustomed Earth is reuniting the powerhouses of Netflix, Wells, and Warner Bros. Television, who previously collaborated on the critically acclaimed show Maid and the upcoming limited series Untamed. The combination has proven fruitful in the past, so expectations are high for what’s to come.
As for when you’ll get to binge-watch this highly anticipated series, well, the details are still under wraps. Cast announcements, release dates – all of that good stuff is yet to be revealed, but we can only assume it’s going to be worth the wait. If Maid taught us anything, it’s that Wells knows how to weave a narrative that keeps you hooked, even when you’re not entirely sure where it’s headed.
Now, for those of you familiar with Lahiri’s work, you may recall that her debut novel, The Namesake, was also adapted into a film in 2006. Directed by Mira Nair, the movie starred Kal Penn, Tabu, Irrfan Khan, and Sahira Nair, and was met with critical acclaim. The Unaccustomed Earth series, however, promises to be a whole new kettle of fish – a dramatic, emotionally charged deep dive into the immigrant experience, laced with all the complexities that come with love, loss, and the struggle for identity.
So, while we wait for further updates on the cast and release date, here’s a toast to Netflix for giving us yet another reason to stay glued to our screens. Whether you’re a fan of Lahiri’s writing or simply in the mood for some high-stakes drama, this one’s sure to tick all the boxes. Get your popcorn ready.
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