Netflix is expanding its foray into the dark romance genre with plans to adapt Navessa Allen’s bestselling novel, Lights Out, into a television series. The announcement, made on , signals a continued investment in content driven by the BookTok community, which played a significant role in the book’s initial success.
The adaptation will be spearheaded by Hannah Schneider, who will serve as showrunner, writer, and executive producer. Schneider’s previous work includes the dark comedy Why Women Kill and the crime drama The Waterfront, suggesting a stylistic fit for the novel’s complex themes. Peter Chernin and Tracey Cook of Chernin Entertainment will also executive produce, alongside Allen herself. Chernin Entertainment has a growing slate of projects with Netflix, including The Madness and Age of Innocence.
Lights Out, published in by Slowburn, a division of Zando, quickly gained traction online, becoming a phenomenon on TikTok. The novel follows Aly, a trauma nurse, and Josh, a masked hacker, as they navigate a dangerous and obsessive romance. The story delves into themes of trauma, healing, and complex relationships, blending dark romance with elements of humor and character development. The book remained on the New York Times Bestseller list for 52 weeks.
The success of Lights Out has propelled Allen’s Into Darkness series to prominence. The sequel, Caught Up, debuted at #1 on the New York Times Bestseller list upon its release in . The third installment, Game On, is scheduled for release on . The interconnected nature of the series presents an opportunity for Netflix to potentially expand the adaptation beyond the first novel, should it prove successful.
Notably, a secondary character from Lights Out, Junior, takes center stage in Caught Up. His introduction in the Netflix adaptation could serve as a narrative bridge to future seasons, potentially adapting the subsequent novels in the series. This approach mirrors a common strategy in streaming television, where successful adaptations are often expanded into interconnected universes.
The novel’s popularity is partly attributed to its willingness to tackle difficult subject matter. The book contains 27 trigger warnings, reflecting its exploration of dark themes and potentially sensitive content. This level of explicit content is characteristic of the dark romance genre, which has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. However, the story also incorporates elements of rom-com, aiming to balance the darker aspects with lighter moments.
Netflix’s decision to adapt Lights Out aligns with a broader trend of streaming services acquiring and developing dark romance properties. The platform is also adapting Callie Hart’s Quicksilver, while Amazon is developing a television series based on Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing. This suggests a growing demand for this genre among streaming audiences.
The central premise of Lights Out – a relationship born from online obsession and facilitated by cybersecurity expertise – also offers opportunities to explore contemporary anxieties surrounding privacy, surveillance, and the blurred lines between the digital and physical worlds. Josh’s ability to hack into Aly’s life, while presented within a romantic context, raises questions about the potential for abuse and the vulnerabilities inherent in an increasingly connected society.
Navessa Allen, the author, resides on the East Coast with her husband and two cats. Her work consistently explores complex relationships and the process of healing from trauma. She is represented by CAA on behalf of the Diijkstra Agency.
