‘Before I Let Go’ Drama Based on Kennedy Ryan Novel a Go at Peacock

After several years in development, a series based on author Kennedy Ryan’s novel Before I Let Go has scored a series order at Peacock.

The romantic drama comes from sibling studios Universal Global Television and Universal TV. Ryan and Malcolm D. Lee created the series and co-wrote the pilot episode. Attica and Tembi Locke (From Scratch), who have a first-look deal at Universal TV, will serve as showrunners and writers on the series.

The best-selling Before I Let Go is the first novel in Ryan’s three-book Skyland series. It centers on a divorced couple, Yasmen and Josiah Wade, who are still drawn to each other.

“Getting the chance to bring the Skyland series to life onscreen is a dream come true. I’m excited about what this remarkable team is creating,” Ryan said in a statement. “Co-writing the pilot with Malcolm D. Lee and now imagining this world with Attica and Tembi is more than I even knew to ask for. These characters have meant so much to so many readers, and none of this would be possible without the people who have supported my work for years. I’m incredibly grateful and excited to find a new audience for these books that have changed my life.”

Said Lee, “From the time I read Kennedy Ryan’s Skyland series, I was fully engaged in the lives of these characters and invested in their outcomes. Adapting the pilot with her has been an absolute treasure to experience and we plan on bringing all the feels to her fans and her new TV family. To be able to pass the baton to Attica and Tembi Locke is an absolute dream for this powerhouse team. Can’t wait to get started.”

Peacock acquired Before I Let Go for development in 2023. Along with Ryan, Lee (via his Blackmaled Productions) and Attica and Tembi Locke, the show’s executive producers are Dominique Telson for Blackmaled, Mike Jackson and John Legend of Get Lifted Film Co. and Debra Martin Chase.

Lee has previously worked with Peacock on The Best Man: The Final Chapters and developed Jasmine Guillory’s novel Drunk on Love at the streamer with the Locke sisters.

Here’s the description for Before I Let Go: “Their love was supposed to last forever, but when life dealt Yasmen and Josiah Wade back-to-back devastating blows, they realized love can’t solve everything. The life they created fell apart — divorce and shared custody followed. Now, Yasmen is finally starting to find joy, but proximity to Josiah keeps the embers hot despite reopening old wounds. They are beginning to wonder if they’re truly ready to let go of everything they once had. Is it too late to find forever? Or could the second time around be even better?”

“We could not be more thrilled to bring Kennedy Ryan’s Skyland series to life,” said Attica and Tembi Locke. “We love and feel uniquely suited to bring books about love, family and healing to screen. To do the work with the incredible team on Before I Let Go is a dream.”

Added Jackson and Legend, “We’re incredibly proud of the powerful script Kennedy and Malcolm D. Lee have written, and we’re thrilled to have Attica and Tembi Locke guiding the series as showrunners. Their extraordinary storytelling, emotional intelligence and deep understanding of these characters make them the perfect creative partners to bring this world to life.”

Ryan is repped by CAA, Untitled Entertainment, BookEnds Literary Agency and Granderson Des Rochers. Lee and Blackmaled Productions are repped by IAG and Del Shaw. Attica Locke is with UTA, 3 Arts and Myman Greenspan. Tembi Locke is repped by UTA, 3 Arts and Yorn Levine. Get Lifted is with UTA and Del Shaw. Chase is repped by CAA and Del Shaw.