Freida Pinto has landed a significant role in Netflix’s upcoming series adaptation of Jhumpa Lahiri’s short story collection “Unaccustomed Earth.” According to Variety, Pinto will portray the character of Parul Chaudhury in the highly anticipated series, which has been given the green light for eight episodes by the streaming giant.
The official synopsis for the show describes it as “an epic, soapy, and culturally vibrant drama about a tight-knit Indian American community navigating love, desire, and belonging.” Set in the elite and insular Indian-American community of Cambridge, MA, the series delves into the complexities of relationships and the interwoven lives of its characters. When a forbidden romance between a devoted wife and her long lost love is uncovered, it sparks a scandal that reverberates throughout the immigrant community.
Freida Pinto rose to fame with her breakthrough role in the critically acclaimed film “Slumdog Millionaire” and has since appeared in a variety of movies and television shows, including “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” “Knight of Cups,” and “The Path.” She is represented by CAA and Principal Entertainment LA.
The adaptation of “Unaccustomed Earth” will be co-written by John Wells and Madhuri Shekar, with Wells also serving as the showrunner through his production company, John Wells Productions (JWP). Acclaimed director Ritesh Batra will helm the first and second episodes of the series, which will also feature contributions from executive producers Nisha Ganatra, Jhumpa Lahiri, Erica Saleh, and others. Warner Bros. Television, where Wells has an overall deal, will handle production duties.
This marks the latest screen adaptation of Jhumpa Lahiri’s work, following the successful film adaptation of her novel “The Namesake” in 2006. With a talented cast and crew on board, “Unaccustomed Earth” promises to be a captivating exploration of love, identity, and community set against the backdrop of Indian-American life in Cambridge.
