Little Bell Productions, the new venture founded by industry veterans Brittany A. Little and Larissa Bell, has secured a first-look deal with Universal Television. This marks a significant milestone for the production company, which was established last year. Their first project under this deal is an adaptation of Kimberly Belle’s thriller novel, The Paris Widow, into a television series.
The Paris Widow follows a married couple’s dream vacation in Paris that takes a dark turn as hidden secrets from the past resurface. The suspenseful plot weaves through the picturesque streets of Paris, adding layers of intrigue and danger as the couple’s seemingly perfect getaway spirals into a nightmare.
Little and Bell, who will serve as executive producers on the series, are teaming up with Talitha Watkins, President of ColorCreative, the production and management company co-founded by Issa Rae and Deniese Davis. Belle will also play an active role as co-producer.
The novel, which was published by Park Row in June, centers on Stella, a woman who believes she has finally found stability with her new partner, Adam, after a turbulent past. However, her life is upended when Adam goes missing following a city square explosion in Paris. As the French authorities investigate, Stella learns that Adam was involved in the illicit trade of rare and stolen antiquities. Determined to uncover the truth, she stays in Paris, navigating a web of deception while being pursued by an unknown stalker.
Brittany A. Little and Larissa Bell bring a wealth of experience to this project. Little, formerly Vice President of Drama Development at Universal TV, has a track record that includes successful series like Bel-Air, The Best Man: The Final Chapters, The Equalizer, and FBI. Bell, who previously served as a Development Executive at Amazon Studios, played a key role in the development of shows like Boots Riley’s I’m a Virgo and Swarm. Her past experience also includes stints at Showtime, Universal Television, and NBC.
In a joint statement, Little and Bell expressed their enthusiasm for the partnership with Universal Television. “We are exhilarated to be embarking on this next chapter of our careers with Universal Television, a place that feels like home,” they said. “As individuals, we have always been mission-driven and are excited to be joining forces to bring stories to life that celebrate the universal in the unique and tap into the broader human condition. The Paris Widow does exactly that with the thrills and romance that can only be found, as we have all seen recently, in the City of Light.”
Erin Underhill, President of Universal Television, also shared her excitement about the collaboration. “We’re so excited to reunite with the team at Little Bell. Brittany and Larissa’s creative instincts, business savvy, and passion make them ideal partners for Universal Television. The Paris Widow is a gripping and propulsive cat-and-mouse thriller and a perfect example of the compelling stories to come from this partnership.”
Author Kimberly Belle expressed her excitement for the adaptation, saying, “I am beyond thrilled to be partnering with the team at Little Bell and ColorCreative alongside Universal Television to develop The Paris Widow series. Stella is a resourceful and complex character with a few surprises up her sleeve, and I’m certain she’s in excellent hands. Europe is my part-time home, but I’ve been waiting for the right story to take the setting overseas. The Paris Widow fit the bill—a high-stakes, female-driven plot big enough to share the stage with a city as glamorous and picture-perfect as Paris.”
With this first project underway, Little Bell Productions is poised to make a significant impact in the television landscape, bringing fresh and thrilling narratives to the screen.