Natasha Rothwell is one step closer to bringing Who TF Did I Marry? to television—and she’s not just producing it, she’s starring in it.
During a live taping of Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson’s IMO With Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson podcast at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, Rothwell revealed that her team is pitching the series next week, with hopes to be on set by this time next year.
The project, based on Tareasa “Reesa Teesa” Johnson’s 50-part viral TikTok series—which has amassed more than 450 million views—was a hot commodity in Hollywood. Rothwell’s Big Hattie Productions secured the rights in a six-way bidding war, beating out heavyweights like Shonda Rhimes. “I was blown away that she fearlessly was telling the story and still believed in love after that,” Rothwell said, recalling her first FaceTime with Johnson. “We just connected… and we beat Shonda, y’all. We got it.”
The original TikTok series detailed Johnson’s tumultuous marriage to a man she says deceived her about everything from his education to his finances, with shocking twists that made the videos an online sensation. Johnson’s ex-husband has publicly denied her claims, but the story’s cultural impact—and its binge-worthy nature—made it prime for adaptation.
For Rothwell, the appeal is deeper than the drama. “It’s in line with the mission of centering marginalized voices, lifting them up, and hopefully helping people at the end of the day,” she told the audience.
The Emmy-nominated White Lotus star and Insecure alum has built a career on breaking molds—writing, acting, producing, and creating projects that refuse to flatten complex characters. With Who TF Did I Marry?, she’s adding another ambitious entry to her portfolio, one she describes as both personal and purposeful.
As the industry waits for the official greenlight, Rothwell remains focused on the bigger picture. “Building that community is so important,” she said, reflecting on her own journey from broke years in New York to leading one of Hollywood’s most talked-about adaptations. “That’s what got me through… working along with other people who were as hungry and ambitious as I am.”
If all goes according to plan, audiences could be watching Rothwell bring Reesa Teesa’s jaw-dropping story to life in 2026.
Originally read on Variety.