Sweetbitter Cover - Publicity - H 2016
Courtesy of Alfred A. KnopfSweetbitter, the best-selling novel by Stephanie Danler, is headed to the small screen.
Following a multiple-network bidding war, Starz is developing the project as a potential half-hour drama series with Brad Pitt’s Plan B attached to produce.
Sweetbitter follows 22-year-old Tess who, shortly after arriving in New York, lands a job at a celebrated downtown restaurant. Swiftly introduced to the world of drugs, alcohol, love, lust, dive bars and fine dining, she learns to navigate the chaotically alluring, yet punishing life she has stumbled upon.
The book was featured in The Hollywood Reporter’s “Rights Available” in May and is described as Kitchen Confidential meets Bridget Jones. It earned rave reviews and adoring profiles for waiter-turned-author Danler. The book is inspired by her life and tells the story of a young woman’s coming-of-age. It’s set against the rich and grimy backdrop of exclusive restaurants, conjuring a nonstop and high-adrenaline world evoking the possibility, beauty and fragility of being young and adrift.
Danler wrote the script for the drama with Stu Zicherman (The Americans, The Affair) attached to develop the script with her. Both will exec produce alongside Plan B. Starz senior vp originals Ken Segna and vp originals Patrick McDonald will oversee for the cabler, which will retain global distribution and home entertainment rights to the potential series.
