Julie Anne Robinson, director of the Emmy-nominated Netflix drama Bridgerton, will adapt Vanessa Riley’s novel Island Queen for television. The adaptation will be produced through Robinson’s own company, Longboat Pictures. Adjoa Andoh, who portrayed Lady Danbury in Bridgerton, will executive produce the project along with Victoria Fea.
According to Deadline, Island Queen “is based on the true story of Dorothy “Doll” Kirwan Thomas, who was born enslaved, bought her freedom and became one of the wealthiest and most powerful landowners in the early 1800s Caribbean.” The novel was recently released on July 6th, 2021.
Both Robinson and Andoh expressed their excitement about working together again and collaborating on this particular project. Robinson described Island Queen as “groundbreaking” and “inspiring.” She also claims she “couldn’t be happier” working with Andoh again.
Andoh states she believes Riley “has beautifully reintegrated the extraordinary history and perspective of an empowered black woman, into the wider story of Caribbean slavery and the British Empire,” as mentioned in the Deadline article. She’s excited not only to bring this true story to screens through Riley’s vision, but also to partner with Robinson for the adaptation. Andoh narrates the audiobook version of Island Queen.
Bridgerton is up for twelve Emmy nominations this year, including a Directing for a Drama Series Award for the pilot episode. Robinson’s other television credits include Grey’s Anatomy, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Middle, and Castle Rock. She also worked on The Last Song with Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth.
Andoh will portray Nenneke in The Witcher season two. She’s also starred in Fractured and Adulthood, and has regularly appeared on the classic BBC series Doctor Who, according to Deadline.