Mrs Death Misses Death optioned for film and TV

Salena Godden's debut novel, Mrs Death Misses Death, has been optioned for film and TV by Idris Elba's production company, Green Door Pictures. 

The deal was struck between the company and OWN IT! founder and Godden's agent, Crystal Mahey-Morgan. The novel, a dark comedy published by Canongate, launches today (Friday 29th January).

Mrs Death Misses Death is the fictional story of a young author named Wolf, who is visited by Death, a shapeshifting, working-class Black woman. Exhausted from spending eternity doing her job, she seeks someone to unburden her conscience to and asks Wolf to write her memoirs. Enthralled by her reminiscences, Wolf and Death time-travel together to witness historic events of the past and present. As the two reflect on ancestry, loss and the future of humanity, their friendship grows into a surprising affirmation of hope and resilience.

Commenting on the deal, Elba said: "Mrs Death Misses Death feels like an instant classic, with an intoxicating story that crosses time and continents. I was immediately drawn to Salena’s writing and am humbled and excited to have the opportunity to bring her brilliant words to life on screen."

Godden (pictured) is a poet and performer based in London. She is also an activist, broadcaster, memoirist and essayist, and is widely anthologised. She has had several volumes of poetry published, including her latest work Pessimism is for Lightweights (Rough Trade Books), and a literary childhood memoir, Springfield Road (Unbound). She said: "I’m beyond excited to see the worlds of Mrs Death and Wolf on screen. Thank you to Green Door and to Idris Elba for your confidence in this work and your support of my first novel."

Elba founded Green Door Pictures in 2013 with the aim of developing new and established talent to champion inclusion, representation and diversity. He is represented by The Artists Partnership, WME, M88, Ziffren Brittenham LLP and the Lede Company.

Green Door Pictures' scripted television credits include the award-winning Sky One comedy "In the Long Run", created by and featuring Elba as part of an ensemble cast including Bill Bailey, in co-production with Sprout Pictures. The company has also co-produced Netflix comedy series "Turn Up Charlie", with Brown Eyed Boy, a short-form series for BBC3 in collaboration with BBC Studios, and "Tree", a theatre production with Manchester International Festival and the Young Vic. Upcoming feature film "Concrete Cowboy" in collaboration with Neighborhood Film Co., Tucker Tooley Entertainment and Lee Daniels Entertainment, is due for release on Netflix in 2021.