Post-Apocalyptic Drama ‘Who Fears Death’ by Nigerian Writer Nnedi Okorafo Set to Become a New HBO Se

HBO has closed deals for Who Fears Death, a post-apocalyptic drama series, which will be executive produced by Game of Thrones’ George R.R. Martin and former HBO president Michael Lombardo. Who Fears Death is based on the sci-fi fantasy novel by Nigerian Writer Nnedi Okorafo who tweeted in July that her book was being optioned by HBO for a series produced by Martin.

The new series will be written and co-executive produced by Selwyn Seyfu Hinds known for Beyond Beef: Jay-Z & Nas and Hip Hop vs. America II: Where Did the Love Go?

No production dates or casting announcements have been made yet.

Who Fears Death tells the coming of age tale of Onyesowu in post-apocalyptic North Africa. Onyesowu must go on a journey from self-reproach to love, but to do so she’ll have to overcome untold obstacles—defeating her hated sorcerer father and becoming the instrument of prophetic deliverance for a land of oppressed people, all the while fighting to master the terrifying powers growing inside her.

Martin and Lombardo will executive produce with Angela Mancuso. Okorafor will serve as consultant.

Who Fears Death was published in 2010 by DAW, an imprint of Penguin Books, and received the 2011 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel, and the 2010 Carl Brandon Kindred Award “for an outstanding work of speculative fiction dealing with race and ethnicity.” Okorafor followed Who Fears Death with a prequel, The Book of Phoenix, published by DAW in 2015.

Who Fears Death falls under Martin’s overall deal with HBO which also includes his involvement in the planned GOT spinoffs currently in development at HBO.

This story was first reported in Deadline.