The BBC has announced a new drama made with the company behind Richard Gadd's new series Half Man.
Open Water is based on the award-winning 2021 novel by Caleb Azumah Nelson, and focuses on a love story between Marcus and Effie.
The eight-part show will be overseen by Azumah Nelson himself, who serves as lead writer, director and executive producer, and has been co-produced by Mam Tor Productions, who are working on Baby Reindeer star Gadd's next show, and B-Side Productions.
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Open Water is centred on aspiring photographer Marcus, and Effie – who is studying dance in Dublin – who feel "an immediate, undeniable connection" when they meet. However, when Marcus learns Effie is dating his friend Samuel, he is unwilling to cross that boundary.
"A shared project, photographing and documenting Black creatives in London, draws them into each other’s orbit, but can their burgeoning friendship resist the pull of desire?" the synopsis adds.
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"They seem destined for each other, their crush evolving into a love that is ocean-deep. But love is never enough, and their path towards one another is treacherous. Will they sink or swim in open water?"
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"It’s been an absolute joy working alongside Mam Tor, B-Side and the BBC to adapt Open Water for the screen," Azumah Nelson said.
"I can’t wait for viewers not only to meet Marcus and Effie but to step into their world: their private, intimate spaces, their communities, their desires. I’m incredibly grateful to be telling this story at this time."
The BBC's Director of Drama Lindsay Salt added: "Open Water is a tender, bold and dazzling story about the dance of early love and being seen for who you really are. The response to Caleb's book was phenomenal, and we feel privileged to be working with him to bring this breathtaking romance to the BBC."
Open Water will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
