Dubai author Brandy Scott lands television deal for debut novel

The UAE radio presenter's 'Not Bad People' is set to be adapted into a TV series

Presenter and author Brandy Scott in the Dubai Eye 103.8 studio at Arabian Radio Network offices. Scott's debut novel, 'Not Bad People', has been picked up for TV adaption. Reem Mohammed / The NationaShow more

Brandy Scott's debut novel Not Bad People is set to be adapted into an eight-part TV series, following a deal announced this week.

The New Zealand author currently lives in Dubai and presents the Business Breakfast on Dubai Eye 103.8. Not Bad People was released in March 2019, and has been picked up for adaption by New Zealand TV producer, John Barnett.

"It's extremely flattering – and slightly surreal – to have the novel that I wrote between radio shows here in Dubai optioned by the man responsible for so much of the television I grew up with in New Zealand," Scott has said in a statement. "I'm excited by the enthusiasm that John [Barnett] has for Not Bad People, and can't wait to see how he brings its characters and their challenges to life."

Barnett is behind a number of popular shows and movies including Outrageous Fortune, the Oscar-nominated Whale Rider and Sione's Wedding.

"He’s in London and Cannes this week getting the ball rolling," Scott added on Instagram, before crediting her agents, High Spot Literary.

"I'm thrilled to have secured Brandy Scott's debut novel Not Bad People for adaptation," Barnett has said of the project. "It's a great story with instantly recognisable and accessible characters."

Scott told The National: "I didn't ever think of writing for TV when I was working on the novel, I was just trying to write the most best book I could, and that would hopefully be as fun to read as it was to write."

Not Bad People is the story of three Australian friends who decide to mark New Year's Eve with lucky lanterns. The decision triggers a chain of disastrous events. The novel was released in the US and Canada on May 14.

The book has been compared by reviewers to Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies, which was adapted for TV by Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman.

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