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    By Bridgette Bartlett Royall ·Updated April 17, 2026 Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…

    Who doesn’t enjoy a good plot twist? Not the cheesy, out-of-left-field type but the unforgettable organic ones that resonate with our own real life, “How did I get here?” moments. Author Kennedy Ryan writes compelling stories that encompass the latter and now we’re get a juicy television adaption of one of her bestselling books, Before I Let Go!

    Ryan, who is beloved for writing romance novels that capture the depth and nuances of our relationships, is taking her popular contemporary tales from the page to Peacock thanks to an exciting new first-look deal with Universal Studio Group (USG). Given the nickname, Queens of Hugs by her faithful fans, Ryan was the first Black author to win a prestigious RITA Award —the highest honor in romance fiction—for Best Contemporary Romance: Long with her novel, Long Shot. Ryan made history again when she became the first Black author to win an Audie Award in 2022 for her novel, Reel. In a recent announcement, it was revealed that the talented wordsmith is developing the highly anticipated series under her company, Scribe Chick Media. According to the agreement terms, Ryan will develop and produce her series for a variety of platforms and create original content for USG to adapt for television.

    Helping to bring this refreshing adaption to life is acclaimed director Malcolm D. Lee who is widely known for giving us cinematic classics like The Best Man and Girls Trip. The New York Times and USA Today bestseller originally published in November of 2022, Before I Let Go, will be first up in this series. In the popular novel, we meet Yasmen and Josiah Wade, a divorced Atlanta couple trying to figure it out. For them, that “it” includes recovering from the heartbreak of a stillbirth and other family tragedy, navigating Debra Martin Chase, who brought us faves such as Just Wright and Sparkle.

    “This is an incredible opportunity that I never saw coming and don’t take for granted,” Ryan shared in a statement about the Peacock deal. “It’s not only the chance to extend the reach of my own brand and content, but also stories that amplify themes relevant to underrepresented communities, and shepherd those stories by other authors from book to screen. I’m thrilled about the projects.”

    We know how powerful it is to witness our stories portrayed on screen in intentional and thoughtful ways with characters who are at once fabulous, funny and flawed. Audiences across generations, races and socioeconomic backgrounds are yearning for more of this type of content as demonstrated with the success of Netflix’s Forever. Impactful storytelling is a win for the culture and this book’s rare and raw honesty showcasing Black love, Black joy and Black healing are going to be soul-stirring to enjoy translated on-screen.

    Jordan Moblo, USG’s executive vice president of creative acquisitions and IP management, added: “Kennedy’s stories are deeply resonant and culturally impactful, and we are excited to collaborate on adaptations that honor her vision while connecting with audiences in bold, meaningful ways. Not only is she a celebrated and powerful voice in the literary space, but she leads with thoughtfulness and creativity.”

    Ryan, who is also a devoted mom, is not just a prolific writer but also a philanthropist. A dedicated autism advocate and the co-founder of Lift 4 Autism, Ryan works to raise money for autism awareness through her organization. While we impatiently wait for the debut of Before I Let Go on the small screen, what we’re sure will be Ryan’s next literary hit, Score, a juicy page turner about former college sweethearts who find themselves working together on a career catapulting project, will be available on May 19, 2026.  

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    The post Kennedy Ryan’s ‘Before I Let Go’ Is Coming To Peacock—And It’s The Black Love Story We Need On Screen appeared first on Essence.

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