‘Queen Sugar’ Author to Develop Novel ‘Friends and Family’ Into Series With UTV, Mary J. Blige, Gina Prince-Bythewood

Universal Television is developing a series take on the Natalie Baszile novel “Friends and Family,” Variety has learned.

The TV version is currently titled “Good People.” Should the project go forward, it would be the second series based on one of Baszile’s books. Her novel “Queen Sugar” was previously adapted into the series of the same name, which aired for seven seasons on OWN.

The logline for “Good People” states, “Set in Northern California, the story follows Babs, a successful self-made interior designer, and her old money best friend, Nora. Their world cracks open when a series of events, including an affair and a police confrontation involving Nora’s adopted Black son, disrupts the stability of both families and their carefully constructed lives.”

Marissa Jo Cerar (“13 Reasons Why,” “Black Cake”) is attached to write and executive produce the adaptation. Gina Prince-Bythewood (“Love & Basketball,” “A Different World”) and Reggie Rock Bythewood (“A Different World,” “Swagger”) will both executive produce via Undisputed Cinema, with Prince-Bythewood also onboard to direct the pilot. Debra Martin Chase of Martin Chase Productions will also executive produce, as will Mary J. Blige via Blue Butterfly Productions. Baszile is also attached to executive produce. Universal Television is the studio.

The Bythewoods recently returned to “A Different World” with the sequel series that debuted on Netflix in September and has already been renewed for Season 2. Prince-Bythewood is also the co-writer and director of the upcoming film adaptation of the novel “Children of Blood and Bone.”

Martin Chase’s movie credits include the Oscar-nominated “Harriet” as well as franchises like “The Princess Diaries,” “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” and “The Cheetah Girls.”

Cerar is repped by Heroes and Villains Entertainment and Hirsch Wallerstein. Prince-Bythewood is repped by CAA and Del Shaw Moonves. Rock Bythewood is repped by CAA. Martin Chase is repped by CAA and Del Shaw Moonves. Blige is repped by IAG, Laffitte Management Group and LaPolt Law. Baszile is repped by Heroes and Villains Entertainment and Hirsch Wallerstein.

(Pictured, left to right: Natalie Baszile, Mary J. Blige, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Debra Martin Chase, Reggie Rock Bythewood, Marissa Jo Cerar)