TODAY host Jenna Bush Hager has revealed huge career news, announcing that she is “thrilled” about the exciting new project.
Jenna, 41, recently shared details about Black Candle Women, the latest book added to her book club, while promoting Read With Jenna on social media.
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Today host Jenna Bush Hager revealed huge career news as she announced that she is ‘thrilled’ about a new projectCredit: NBC
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The news revolved around her recently added Read with Jenna book club movie Black Candle Women, written by Diane Marie BrownCredit: NBC
Deadline has now reported that a TV series adaptation of the novel by author Diane Marie Brown is currently in development at Universal Television with Jenna executive producing.
Black Candle Women revolves around four generations of women, who not only live together in their California home but also live with a dark secret — a “decades-old family curse that any person they fall in love with dies.”
The Today host has teamed with Bel-Air showrunner Carla Banks Waddles and Good Girls creator Jenna Bans for the project.
Waddles has also been tasked with both writing and producing the adaption.
When asked about the project, the novel’s author stated: “I am thrilled that my book will not only be adapted but also be in such incredibly talented hands.”
Brown also added: “I’m so excited to see these characters that have lived in my head for so long brought to life on screen.”
Jenna too discussed the upcoming series, confessing: “Diane’s magical, poetic novel captured my imagination from the first page.
She continued: “I am thrilled to partner with the indomitable Carla to bring the four generations of Montrose women to viewers.
“We are also thrilled that Jenna and Casey have joined us alongside our partners at UTV.”
BIG NEWS
As previously mentioned, Jenna shared a video of herself speaking about Black Candle Women while she was behind the scenes of Today in a joint post on Instagram.
She spoke proudly of Brown’s debut novel, explaining that it was about the generations of women of a particular family.
The TV personality further revealed that the book centered around intergenerationality, which was a theme she was “really attracted to.”
Jenna clarified that she liked those themes because whenever asked which women shaped her the most, she always says her mom and grandmas.
The book was the March selection for Read With Jenna, as explained in the post’s caption.
“Our March Read With Jenna selection Black Candle Women is all about generations of women, and Jenna Bush Hager knows all about being inspired by the strong female figures in her family! Which women are you inspired by?” the post asked.
Jenna divulging her connection to the book as she summarized it in the clip helped convince fans to read it themselves.
“My mom, grandma, and sister. Three strong women who find beauty even in life’s difficulties,” one person commented.
“Looking forward to reading about the women in Black Candle Women.”
MADE FOR TV
Jenna has been investing time in building her book club and broadening her TV credits.
She revealed in January that she would be adapting the book Maame with its author for television.
After revealing her February 2023 choice as Jessica George’s novel Maame, Jenna had more to share.
She took a moment to announce some additional news while outside of the Today studio.
“I was so moved by this book, y’all, that I’m thrilled to announce that this is one that, with the help of Jessica George, the talented author, we’re going to adapt it and hopefully bring it to television!”
“Oh my God!” exclaimed Hoda Kotb, 58, as the other hosts and the crowd erupted into excited applause.
Jenna gushed over the book when she announced it, comparing it to Bridget Jones’s Diary with its “British humor.”
It followed a woman named Maddie who lives in London with a mother who spent much of her time in Ghana.
Maddie is her father’s primary caretaker at home, which means she had a lot on her plate.
Add in work, and she’s had it with the way everything is going in her life.
Maddie decided to make a change when her mother returned from Ghana and started “living” once and for all.
Jenna handed out copies of Maame to those in attendance when she made her announcement.
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Deadline revealed that the novel is being developed for television with the help of Jenna Bush HagerCredit: Graydon House
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Jenna is teaming up with Bel-Air producer Carla Banks-Waddles, who has also been tasked with adapting the book for televisionCredit: Getty
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Jenna revealed that she is ‘thrilled to partner with the indomitable Carla to bring the four generations of Montrose women to viewers’
