Full Breakdown
Netflix to Adapt Ali Hazelwood’s *Deep End* into Feature Film
8/6/2026, 7:28:16 AM
Core Announcement
Netflix has secured the rights to adapt the 2025 New Adult romance novel *Deep End* by Ali Hazelwood into a feature-length film. The exclusive announcement was reported by Deadline.
Background and Context
*Deep End* debuted as the #1 New York Times bestseller in the New Adult romance category and, according to Deadline, has sold nearly 1.5 million copies worldwide. The novel has been licensed in 21 territories, illustrating strong international demand for BookTok-driven romance titles. Netflix’s prior adaptation of *People We Meet on Vacation* demonstrated that such projects can revive book sales and attract new subscribers.
Production Team
- Screenwriter: Laura Kosann will adapt the novel for the screen.
- Producers: Shawn Levy and Dan Levine will produce through 21 Laps; Alex Cooper and Matt Kaplan will co-produce via Unwell Productions.
- Executive Producers: Author Ali Hazelwood and Matthew Janzen (Unwell Productions).
- Production Oversight: Emily Morris and Emily Feher will supervise production for 21 Laps.
Hazelwood’s Adaptation Portfolio
*Deep End* is Hazelwood’s second novel slated for a feature adaptation. Her earlier work, *The Love Hypothesis*, is scheduled to debut on Prime Video on September 23, produced by Amazon MGM and MRC. Hazelwood, a former neuroscience PhD who turned to full-time writing in 2022, has sold more than 10 million copies of her books worldwide.
Related Projects from the Production Companies
Unwell Productions, best known for the *Call Her Daddy* podcast and related documentary content, is expanding into scripted cinema with *Deep End*. Its upcoming slate includes the Netflix reality series *Let’s Marry Harry* (premiering August 5) and a film adaptation of Hannah Grace’s sports romance *Icebreaker*.
21 Laps, the company behind films such as *Free Guy* and *The Adam Project*, is also developing the Emma Stone-led rom-com *The Catch* and the Star Wars-themed project *Star Wars: Starfighter*.
Market Implications
The adaptation aligns with Netflix’s strategic emphasis on BookTok-originated content, a segment that has shown measurable boosts in book sales and subscriber engagement. By pairing a high-profile production team with a proven bestseller, Netflix aims to capture both romance-genre viewers and the broader fan base of Hazelwood’s work.
