BBC Adapts Caleb Azumah Nelson’s Novel Open Water in New Series

January 24, 2025

British-Ghanian writer Caleb Azumah Nelson’s 2021 novel Open Water is being made into an eight-part series for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. Set in southeast London, Open Water tells the story of Marcus and Effie, two people hoping to advance their careers. From the moment they meet, an undeniable connection sparks between them, but their journey is full of complications. This love story offers an exploration of race and masculinity against the backdrop of a city that both embraces and alienates them.

This series is being produced by Mam Tor Productions and B-Side Productions, with Caleb Azumah Nelson as the led writer, director, and executive producer. Here’s what he has to say about working with both of these producers:

It’s been an absolute joy working alongside Mam Tor, B-Side and the BBC to adapt Open Water for the screen. I can’t wait for viewers not only to meet Marcus and Effie but to step into their world: their private, intimate spaces, their communities, their desires. I’m incredibly grateful to be telling this story at this time.

Open Water is Caleb Azumah Nelson’s debut novel and received praise from all around. It won the Costa First Novel Award and Debut of the Year at the British Book Awards, was a number one Times bestseller, was shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize, won the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award, won the Waterstones Book of the Year, was longlisted for the Gordon Burn Prize, and won the Desmond Elliott Prize. On top of that, he was selected as a National Book Foundation 5 under 35 honoree.

Executive producers at Mam Tor Productions and B-Side Productions have nothing but praise for the upcoming adaptation. Tally Garner, executive producer at Mam Tor Productions, says that Open Water “is the most profound and vital love story, and I am overjoyed to be bringing his beautiful and distinctive vision to the screen.” Matimba Kabalika, executive producer at B-Side Productions, says that Open Water is “such a beautiful ode to love, youth, and joys big and small, as well as an honest exploration of the journey of finding your way in love and life.”

The Director of BBC Drama, Lindsay Salt, also gave her perspective on the excitement surrounding the adaptation:

Open Water is a tender, bold and dazzling story about the dance of early love and being seen for who you really are. The response to Caleb’s book was phenomenal, and we feel privileged to be working with him to bring this breathtaking romance to the BBC.

Congratulations to Caleb Azumah Nelson on the Open Water adaptation! We are so excited to see it come to life!