Romance readers, rejoice! Yet another cult novel series is being adapted for television by Tomorrow Studios, and this time, audiences won’t just have one swoon-worthy hero to choose from, but six. The ITV Studios partnership has purchased the rights toPenny Reid’sThe Winston Brothersseries, a set of several novels following one family in rural Tennessee, to be adapted for television. The purchase involves a “multi-book deal”, according to Publishers’ Marketplace, meaning that the studio most likely has plans to give each brother their time to shine.
Reid announced the news herself onTwitter, via a blast from Publishers’ Marketplace, much to the delight of her fans.Marty AdelsteinandBecky Clements(Physical, Snowpiercer) are set to executive produce for Tomorrow Studios, though the project has not found a home at any kind of streamer or network. (Though, given Adelstein and Clements’ past work, it’s possible that the romance series will end up at Apple TV+, alongside similarly homey favorites likeTed Lasso.)
The series, which includes seven primary books, three novellas, and two spinoff series, following the seven Winston siblings — six brothers and a lone sister — as they navigate complicated and sometimes bizarre romantic attachments in their small town of Green Valley, Tennessee, all while coping with the premature death of their mother, and the illegal schemes of their biker gang leader father. The books, including punny titles likeBeard Necessitiesand the best-sellingDr. Strange Beard, were initially a spinoff of Reid’sKnitting in the Cityseries, which began withNeanderthal Seeks Humanback in 2013, though the much-beloved Winston brothers (including Beau, Duane, Jethro, Cletus, Roscoe, and Billy) didn’t make an appearance until the series’ fourth book,Beauty and the Mustache.
RELATED:‘Mr. Malcolm’s List’ Review: A Winsome Regency Romance Bolstered by a Swoonworthy Ensemble
TheWinston Brothersseries was so successful that Reid was able to launchSmartypants Romance, a publishing imprint that allows new authors to write books set in the same universe as her books — that of Green Valley, the home of the bearded romantic heroes, as well as other universes, includingKnitting in the CityandDear Professor. Other titles include theGreen Valley Libraryseries, penned byL.B. DunbarandNora Everly, among others, as well as theDonner Bakerybooks andGreen Valley Heroes, including titles byKilby BladesandJuliette Cross. Reid also continues to publish novels in the Winston Brothers canon, including theSolving for Piemurder mystery series andGood Folk, a series of modern folktales.
No casting plans or announcement of a network forThe Winston Brothershave been revealed at this time. Check out Reid’s announcement below:
