Ashley Thomas to Star Opposite Adrienne Warren in Hulu’s Black Cake
Ashley Thomas has been cast to star opposite Adrienne Warren in the upcoming Hulu series Black Cake. The series is based on the book of the same name by Charmaine Wilkerson. Thomas will play Byron Bennett, “a brilliant ocean scientist, whose formidable work ethic has made him a leader in his field and a popular social media influencer. His professional success comes second only to his relationship with his mother, Eleanor. In the wake of her death, Byron is tasked with carrying out her final wish – a task that forces a reunion with his estranged sister, Benny, and brings to light harrowing secrets, confronting everything Byron thought he knew about himself and his family.” The project comes from Marissa Jo Cerar, Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Films, and Aaron Kaplan’s Kapital Entertainment. Zetna Fuentes will direct the pilot. Cerar wrote the adaptation and is also the showrunner.
Avon Books to Publish Bridgerton Prequel
Avon Books is publishing a new Bridgerton Prequel by Julia Quinn and Shonda Rimes. “MAKE WAY FOR THE QUEEN!” Julia Queen wrote in her Instagram announcement. “[Shonda Rimes] and I are teaming up to write a novel. It’s based on the upcoming Queen Charlotte Bridgerton spin-off and is set to release with the series.”
Podcast Mini-Series Book Exploder Coming in August
A new podcast mini-series called Book Exploder is coming out next month. Musician Hrishikesh Hirway has teamed up with Susan Orlean, journalist and author of The Library Book and On Animals, to create this new podcast mini-series where authors break down their work. The podcast will run on the Song Exploder feed, and the first episode debuts on August 3rd.
How to Contact Your Legislators About Book Bans (and Why It Matters)
We’ve got all the tools you need to research and contact your local lawmakers about book bans and censorship.