Jennifer Lopez’s production company, Nuyorican Productions, is set to adapt Emily Henry’s best-selling young adult novel, “Happy Place,” into a television series in collaboration with Netflix. The announcement, made on Tuesday, June 25, has generated considerable excitement, with Lopez herself expressing her enthusiasm by sharing the news on her Instagram Stories. The post featured a screenshot of an article announcing the adaptation, adorned with a sticker reading, “Can’t wait!”
“Happy Place,” released in 2023, revolves around Harriet and Wyn, a seemingly perfect couple who have been together since college. However, despite their outward compatibility, they have secretly broken up five months prior and have yet to inform their close-knit group of friends. The story unfolds at a Maine cottage, a cherished annual getaway for their friend group, where Harriet and Wyn continue to pretend they are still together, navigating the complexities of their broken relationship while sharing a bedroom.
This adaptation is part of a broader deal that Lopez’s Nuyorican Productions struck with Netflix in June 2021. The multi-year, first-look agreement aims to develop both scripted and unscripted content, including feature films and television series. The deal emphasizes projects that support diverse female actors, writers, and filmmakers, a commitment highlighted in a press release from Netflix.
In addition to “Happy Place,” other adaptations of Emily Henry’s works, such as “People We Meet on Vacation” and “Beach Read,” are already in the pipeline for big-screen adaptations. Henry, a #1 New York Times bestselling author, has penned several popular novels, including “Book Lovers,” “When the Sky Fell on Splendor,” and “A Million Junes.” Her latest novel, “Funny Story,” was released in April.
Lopez’s latest movie, “Atlas,” marks her third project under her deal with Netflix. Released on May 24, the sci-fi thriller tells the story of Atlas, a brilliant yet misanthropic data analyst played by Lopez, who harbors a deep distrust of artificial intelligence. The narrative follows her mission to capture a renegade robot, with whom she shares a mysterious past, ultimately learning to trust AI to save humanity’s future.
In a behind-the-scenes video shared with PEOPLE, Lopez revealed her deep connection to the film’s story. “The first time I read the script for ‘Atlas,’ I felt very passionately about the friendship story at its core,” she said. “It’s a big action movie, but it has an emotional core about love and friendship.” Reflecting on her character’s journey, Lopez emphasized the importance of vulnerability and trust, themes that resonate both in her professional and personal life.
With “Happy Place” and other promising projects on the horizon, Lopez continues to expand her impact in the entertainment industry, championing diverse and compelling narratives through her collaboration with Netflix.