Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are ready to share a fairytale romance.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are working on an onscreen adaptation of Carley Fortune's best-selling novel Meet Me at the Lake, the author announced on Instagram Aug. 7.
The project—which falls under Meghan and Harry's lucrative Netflix deal with their Archewell Productions company—will be their first book adaptation. The fictional love story comes eight months after the release of their personal documentary series Harry & Meghan, which dropped on the streaming site last December.
"I never thought I'd be making this announcement, but since I am, it feels fitting that I'm doing it from the cottage where it all began," Carley shared. "I'm thrilled to confirm that I'm teaming up with Netflix and Archewell productions on the adaption of Meet Me at the Lake."
The New York Times bestselling author continued, "I can't imagine a more perfect partnership. Writing this book was a tremendous personal challenge, and to see it recognized in this way is truly incredible."
Meghan and Harry signed a multi-year deal with Netflix back in 2020 to create films and series across multiple genres: scripted shows, docuseries, documentaries, features and children's programming. "Our focus will be on creating content that informs but also gives hope," the couple—who share kids Archie, 4, and Lilibet, 2—said in a statement at the time. "As new parents, making inspirational family programming is also important to us."
As for Meet Me at the Lake? It's all about an unexpected encounter that leads to a second chance at love.
"Fern Brookbanks has wasted far too much of her adult life thinking about Will Baxter," reads the Waterstones synopsis of the book. "She spent twenty-four hours in her early twenties with the aggravatingly attractive, idealistic artist—a chance encounter that spiraled into a daylong city adventure. The timing was wrong, but their connection was undeniable: they shared every secret, every dream, and made a pact to meet one year later. Fern showed up. Will didn't."
The story picks up years later, when Fern is 32 and "life hasn't turned out how she imagined it."
"She's back home, running her mother's lakeside resort, which is in disarray—and her ex-boyfriend is the manager. She needs a lifeline," per the summary. "To Fern's surprise, it comes in the form of Will, who arrives—nine years too late—with an offer to help. Will may be the only person who understands what Fern's going through. Yet how can she possibly trust this expensive suit-wearing mirage who seems nothing like the young man she met all those years ago."
Need other shows to satisfy the bookworm in you? Keep reading to see which of your favorite books are heading to the screen.
The Idea of You
Based On: The 2017 novel of the same name by Robinne Lee
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Nicholas Galitzine, Ella Rubin, Reid Scott and Annie Mumolo
Premieres: May 2 on Prime Video
Why We're Excited: One of the most anticipated adaptations of 2024, the film follows 40-year-old single mom Soléne who happens to catch the eye of twenty-something British boyband sensation Hayes at Coachella. Cue a swoon worthy—and very steamy—love story. As if that wasn't enough to have us seated, the star-crossed lovers are played by none other than Hathaway and Galitzine.
Bridgerton Season 3
Based On: Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn (Bridgerton #4)
Starring: Nicola Coughlan, Luke Newton, Claudia Jessie, Luke Thompson, Golda Rosheuvel, Adjoa Andoh, Ruth Gemmel, Simone Ashley, Jonathan Bailey, Polly Walker, Julie Andrews and more
Premieres: Part 1 on May 16, Part 2 on June 13
Why We’re Excited: Dearest readers, it is, at last, the season of Polin. After years of teasing Penelope and Colin’s love story, the Netflix series skipped right to book four so fans can finally see everyone’s favorite wallflower and third brother realize they are meant to be. All it takes is Penelope deciding she must find a husband, Colin offering to be her guide and a whimsical orchestral arrangement of the biggest songs in pop.
It Ends With Us
Based On: Colleen Hoover's 2016 novel of the same name.
Starring: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Brandon Sklenar, Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj
Premieres: In theaters August 9
Why We're Excited: Two words: Blake Lively. Okay, two more words: Love triangle. Centered around a florist named Lily Bloom, the book is a riveting tale of love, strength and the complications of relationships.
Heartstopper Season 3
Based On: Heartstopper, Volume 3 by Alice Osman
Starring: Joe Locke, Kit Connor, William Gao, Yasmin Finney, Corinna Brown, Kizzy Edgell and Tobie Donovan
Premieres: October 2024
Why We’re Excited: As season two ended with Charlie about to say three important words to Nick, the next installment picks up with their relationship growing and changing along with them. Prepare for more adorable doodles—a sweet nod to the graphic novels—but also heartfelt conversations about mental health, love and teenage growing pains.
Wicked
Based On: The Broadway play of the same name and Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage, Bowen Yang, and Keala Settle
Premieres: Part 1: November 27, 2024; Part 2: November 26, 2025
Why We’re Excited: Look no further than the cast list, for starters. Add in that it’s the iconic Broadway musical—based, of course, off the Wizard Of Oz prequel tome—split into two rousing parts and we are booked and busy for the next two Thanksgiving weekends.
Nightb--ch
Based On: the 2021 novel of the same name by Rachel Yoder
Starring: Amy Adams, Scoot McNairy, Ella Thomas, Mary Holland, and Zoe Chao
Premieres: December 6
Why We're Excited: Adams is a stay-at-home mom who thinks she’s turning into a dog. Need we say more? Well, the psychological comedy horror of it all deepens as her husband, often traveling for work, dismisses her fears leading her to turn to a group of fellow moms who are involved in both MLMs and something possibly more sinister.
The Perfect Couple
Based on: the 2018 best-selling novel of the same name by Elin Hilderbrand
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Live Schreiber, Dakota Fanning, Eve Hewson, Billy Howle, Meghann Fahy, Ishann Khattar, Jack Reynor and Omar Eps.
Premieres: TBD
Why We’re Excited: Here’s your official invitation to a Nantucket wedding that some might just kill for. This six-episode murder mystery drama sees a lavish wedding weekend on the Massachusetts island take a turn after a dead body washes up on the beach the day of the ceremony—and everyone is suddenly a suspect. With an ensemble cast, Nicole Kidman and Meghann Fahy, a hurricane of drama is about to grace our screens.
Kay Scarpetta
Based On: Patricia Cornwell's mega-popular series of the same name that has 26 books in total
Starring: Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis
Premieres: TBD on Amazon Prime Video
Why We're Excited: If it's based on a book and Kidman stars in it, we will binge the s--t out of it. (See: Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers, The Undoing and the fact that this is her second appearance on this list.) Add in that the Oscar winners will be playing crime-fighting sisters and it's already become our favorite new show of the year.