Blink49, Unicorn Island to Develop New Drama with Bridgerton Alums

Blink49 Studios and Lilly Singh’s Unicorn Island Productions have teamed up to develop a new drama series based on the novel Arzu.

Geetika Lizardi (Bridgerton, Outsourced) is attached to write. The project, a product of the first-look deal between Blink49 Studios and Unicorn Island Productions, will star Charithra Chandran (Alex Rider, Bridgerton).

Written by author Riva Razdan, Arzu follows a brilliant, young heiress who escapes scandal in Mumbai and lands in New York City. While training to enter into glamorous Manhattan high society, she risks throwing it all away for the adventure of living life on her own terms.

“Arzu exemplifies the very essence of our initial collaboration with Lilly and Unicorn Island Productions,” said Carolyn Newman, executive VP of global scripted television for Blink49 Studios. “We’re thrilled to welcome Charithra as our lead actress, bringing depth and charisma to the project, as well as to be working alongside Geetika to adapt this captivating narrative for television.”

Singh, president of Unicorn Island Productions, commented, “Arzu is an inspiring story about a woman who rejects societal norms in favor of her own passions and pursuits. It’s sexy, surprising and subverts the limited South Asian stereotypes we’ve grown all too accustomed to seeing. Geetika and Charithra are a dream team, and alongside Blink49, we can’t wait to share this story with audiences around the world.”

“I’m thrilled to work with Charithra and Lilly to bring Riva’s smart, sexy and aspirational novel to life,” added Lizardi. “I especially love that Arzu’s journey is so personal to our experiences as South Asian women and at the same time is a coming-of-age story with universal resonance.”

Chandran said, “I’m delighted to be part of a show that is full of glamour, romance and drama that also fearlessly touches on societal issues. It has been a dream working with Blink49 and Unicorn Island Productions, as well as being reunited with Geetika on this. Excited for the world to see it!”