Fifth Season has recently acquired the rights to the popular erotic novel “Beautiful Bastard” with intentions to develop it into a TV series, as reported exclusively by Variety. The novel, originally published by Simon & Schuster in 2013, was penned by Christina Lauren, the collective pseudonym of authors Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. Both Hobbs and Billings are set to co-write the television adaptation, with Bill Dubuque overseeing the project. Dubuque, along with Kristen Campo, will also serve as producers on the series, following their collaboration on the successful Fifth Season-Netflix show “His & Hers.”
Described as a story that revolves around Chloe Mills, a driven and ambitious individual on a promising career path, until her boss, Bennett Ryan, complicates matters. Bennett, a brilliant and demanding figure, returns to Chicago to manage his family’s media empire with a firm grip on control. Their professional dynamic takes a turn when sparks fly between them, blurring the lines between rivalry and desire. As their ambitions clash with their growing attraction, Chloe and Bennett must navigate the risks involved in pursuing a relationship beyond the office walls.
“Beautiful Bastard” marked the beginning of the bestselling “Beautiful” series, which has since expanded to include nine additional novels and novellas. The franchise has garnered international acclaim, with translations in over 30 languages and recognition on prestigious bestseller lists such as the New York Times and USA Today. The inaugural novel even earned a spot as a finalist for the Goodreads Readers’ Choice Romance of the Year award.
Hobbs and Billings, collectively known as Christina Lauren, boast an impressive track record with 21 New York Times bestsellers to their name. Their literary prowess has garnered them numerous accolades, with their novel “In a Holidaze” currently in the process of being adapted for Netflix, featuring stars Rob Lowe and Maddie Ziegler in leading roles.
The creative team behind the TV adaptation is represented by top agencies, with Christina Lauren being repped by WME, Root Literary, and Weintraub Tobin, while Dubuque is represented by WME and Goodman Genow, and Campo by WME and The Nord Group LLP.
Fans of the “Beautiful” series can look forward to the upcoming television adaptation of “Beautiful Bastard,” which promises to bring the sizzling chemistry and captivating storyline to life on screen. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting project.
