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'Americanah': Release date, plot, cast and everything you need to know about HBO Max's limited series starring Lupita Nyong’o

The 10-episode series is based on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's book of the same name and is a passion project for Lupita Nyong’o who optioned the book shortly after its release in 2013.

BY SMITA M

PUBLISHED SEP 26, 2019

One of HBO Max's slated original limited series, the 10-episode show 'Americanah,' will be based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Lupita Nyong’o optioned the novel shortly after it was published in 2013 and the series is a long-gestating passion project for the Oscar-winner, who originally wanted to turn the book into a film. Nyong’o will star in the series, with Danai Gurira writing the pilot and serving as the showrunner. In a press statement, Nyong’o said: “It’s a tale that is simultaneously timely and timeless. HBO Max is the perfect partner to bring this profound and celebrated story to life, and I’m thrilled that Danai will bring to the project her intelligence, wit, and understanding of the stories and the worlds of ‘Americanah.’"

Release date

The series' launch date is yet to be announced. However, it is a shoo-in for HBO Max's launch line-up in spring 2020.

Plot

In the series, Nyong’o will play Ifemelu, raised in Nigeria, who has a teenage romance with her classmate, Obinze. Both characters emigrate to the West leaving military-ruled Nigeria behind. Ifemelu goes to America where she achieves academic success but also has to grapple with racism and being black in America. Meanwhile, Obinze is barred from joining Ifemelu in America due to 9/11 and instead ends up living as an undocumented immigrant in London. Fifteen years later, they reunite in a newly democratic Nigeria and reignite their passion for each other and for their homeland.

Cast

Lupita Nyong'o attends 25th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 27, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.

Nyong’o is an alumnus of Yale School of Drama. Soon after her graduation, she had her first feature film role as Patsey in Steve McQueen's historical drama '12 Years a Slave' (2013), for which she won several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She became the first Kenyan-Mexican actress to win an Academy Award. She has also won popular and critical acclaim for her role as Nakia in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film 'Black Panther' (2018) and her starring role in Jordan Peele's horror film 'Us' (2019). In 2014, she was named the most beautiful woman by People.

Creators

Danai Gurira plays Okoye in 'Avengers: End Game'. (Source: Marvel)

Danai Gurira ('The Walking Dead', 'Black Panther', 'Avengers: End Game') will serve as showrunner. She and Nyong’o will both executive produce, under Nyong’o Eba Productions banner, along with Nancy Won. Plan B Entertainment will also be involved in the series' production, with Andrea Calderwood of Potboiler Television, Didi Rea and Danielle Del of D2 Productions.