Variety has brought word that the upcoming Netflix limited series From Scratch, produced by Reese Witherspoon (Big Little Lies, The Morning Show), has found its lead star in Avengers: Endgame‘s Zoe Saldana.
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The series, an adaptation of the Tembi Locke memoir of the same name, is described as an autobiographical romance following an American woman falling in love with a Sicilian man while studying abroad in Italy then building a life with him the US. After losing him to an unexpected illness, she must pull herself through her grief so she can raise their daughter with hope, joy and infinite love.
Locke’s sister, Attica Locke (When They See Us), will serve as showrunner and executive producer on the series alongside Saldana, with Witherspoon and her producing partner Lauren Neustadter executive producing through the actress’ Hello Sunshine banner. Richard Abate, Jermaine Johnson and Will Rowbotham of 3 Arts Entertainment will also executive produce, while Saldana’s sisters Cisely and Mariel will serve as co-producers.
“This is a profound true story of love and family, deprivation and nourishment, that needs to be brought to life on the screen as Tembi Locke brought it vividly to life for me on the page,” Saldana said in a statement. “We are grateful to Netflix and thrilled to be working with Reese, Lauren, Attica and 3 Arts on this wonderful project.”
Sources report that Attica brought the book to Hello Sunshine prior to its publication when meeting with the company for another project, and after a dinner between Witherspoon and Saldana, the former sent her the manuscript for the novel.
“Tembi’s memoir is a raw and tender exhibition of life in all its pieces,” Witherspoon said. “She brings you into her love, her loss and her resilience with such vulnerability and strength. We immediately fell for Attica and Tembi’s vision and feel honored to have the opportunity to help bring it to life on-screen. We could not imagine more perfect partners for this than Zoe and her sisters and 3 Arts Entertainment, along with the incredible team at Netflix.”
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While Witherspoon has been striking gold on the small screen with HBO’s Big Little Lies, on which she also executive produces, From Scratch will mark Saldana’s first foray into regular television work after starring in the short-lived ABC drama Six Degrees and the miniseries adaptation of Rosemary’s Baby.
“Attica and I are honored to be adapting From Scratch with the visionary Reese Witherspoon, Lauren Neustadter, Richard Abate and the incredibly gifted Zoe Saldana,” Tembi Locke added. “We have a shared interest in championing stories that bring a rich tapestry of experiences to the screen. I am thrilled that this global love story has found a perfect home at Netflix.”
(Photo Credit: Backgrid Images)
