Production company Roughcut buys rights to new novel Goddess

A darkly comic novel about a mixed-race stand-up is to be adapted into a TV show.

Production company Roughcut Television – makers of People Just Do Nothing and Stath Lets Flats  among others – fought off stiff competition to secure the rights, more than a year before the book is published.

The debut of writer Nina Millns, the book is described as a ‘thriller, satire and social takedown all rolled into one’. and will be published by Simon & Schuster in June next year.

According to the blurb, comedian Ayesha ‘finds herself entangled with a group of powerful feminist activists’ and explores what happens when someone dares to challenge the status quo

Executive producer Marianna Abbotts said: ‘Nina Millns is a vibrant, fresh, new voice and we fell in love with her writing from the first page. The way she combines dark comedy with a compelling, exhilarating thriller makes Goddesses an exciting and relevant story for today. We can't wait to bring Ayesha and all of Nina’s powerful characters to the screen.’

Millns added: ‘I was blown away by the scope of Roughcut’s vision for Goddesses and couldn’t get it out of my mind. The incredibly detailed depth of understanding for each character and their journey, as well as the themes and the message of the story, went beyond anything I could have envisioned and shows such potential and ambition. I can’t wait to bring Ayesha and the crew to life.’

No broadcaster has yet been announced for the TV adaptation.

Londoner Millns, who is mixed raced herself, studied improvisation with the Free Association, Showstoppers and Monkey Toast and trained in clowning with the infamous Phillippe Gaulier.

Her work has featured on BBC Radio 4, and she has written episodes of the Dr Who audio drama, including an all-female International Women's Day special. She is also an activist who was involved in the #MeToo movement.

Published: 29 Mar 2022