Peacock is moving ahead with Before I Let Go, handing a series order to the romantic drama based on Kennedy Ryan’s novel after several years in development.
The project comes from Universal Global Television and Universal TV. Ryan created the series with Malcolm D. Lee, and the two co-wrote the pilot episode. Attica Locke and Tembi Locke, whose credits include From Scratch and who have a first-look deal at Universal TV, are set to serve as showrunners and writers.
Before I Let Go is the first novel in Ryan’s three-book Skyland series. The best-selling book follows Yasmen and Josiah Wade, a divorced couple whose connection has not disappeared despite the collapse of the life they once built together.
A Skyland Story Comes to Peacock
Peacock first acquired Before I Let Go for development in 2023. The new series order marks the next major step for the adaptation, bringing together Ryan, Lee and the Lockes with a producing team that includes several established banners and producers.
In addition to Ryan, Lee, Attica Locke and Tembi Locke, executive producers on the series include Dominique Telson for Lee’s Blackmaled Productions, Mike Jackson and John Legend of Get Lifted Film Co., and Debra Martin Chase.
The official description of Before I Let Go frames the story around a marriage undone by grief and hardship: “Their love was supposed to last forever, but when life dealt Yasmen and Josiah Wade back-to-back devastating blows, they realized love can’t solve everything. The life they created fell apart — divorce and shared custody followed. Now, Yasmen is finally starting to find joy, but proximity to Josiah keeps the embers hot despite reopening old wounds. They are beginning to wonder if they’re truly ready to let go of everything they once had. Is it too late to find forever? Or could the second time around be even better?”
Ryan said the chance to adapt the Skyland books is deeply personal.
“Getting the chance to bring the Skyland series to life onscreen is a dream come true. I’m excited about what this remarkable team is creating,” Ryan said in a statement. “Co-writing the pilot with Malcolm D. Lee and now imagining this world with Attica and Tembi is more than I even knew to ask for. These characters have meant so much to so many readers, and none of this would be possible without the people who have supported my work for years. I’m incredibly grateful and excited to find a new audience for these books that have changed my life.”
The Creative Team Behind the Adaptation
Lee also pointed to his connection with Ryan’s books and the handoff to the Lockes as the series moves forward.
“From the time I read Kennedy Ryan’s Skyland series, I was fully engaged in the lives of these characters and invested in their outcomes,” Lee said. “Adapting the pilot with her has been an absolute treasure to experience and we plan on bringing all the feels to her fans and her new TV family. To be able to pass the baton to Attica and Tembi Locke is an absolute dream for this powerhouse team. Can’t wait to get started.”
Lee has prior ties to Peacock, having worked with the streamer on The Best Man: The Final Chapters. He also developed Jasmine Guillory’s novel Drunk on Love at Peacock with Attica and Tembi Locke.
The Lockes said they are especially drawn to the emotional territory of the material.
“We could not be more thrilled to bring Kennedy Ryan’s Skyland series to life,” Attica and Tembi Locke said. “We love and feel uniquely suited to bring books about love, family and healing to screen. To do the work with the incredible team on Before I Let Go is a dream.”
Jackson and Legend also praised the pilot and the decision to have the Lockes guide the series.
“We’re incredibly proud of the powerful script Kennedy and Malcolm D. Lee have written, and we’re thrilled to have Attica and Tembi Locke guiding the series as showrunners,” Jackson and Legend said. “Their extraordinary storytelling, emotional intelligence and deep understanding of these characters make them the perfect creative partners to bring this world to life.”
Ryan is represented by CAA, Untitled Entertainment, BookEnds Literary Agency and Granderson Des Rochers. Lee and Blackmaled Productions are represented by IAG and Del Shaw. Attica Locke is with UTA, 3 Arts and Myman Greenspan, while Tembi Locke is represented by UTA, 3 Arts and Yorn Levine. Get Lifted is with UTA and Del Shaw, and Chase is represented by CAA and Del Shaw.