Mary J. Blige, Debra Martin Chase, and Liz Friedlander Team Up for a Series Based on Elise Hart Kipness’s Bestselling ‘Lights Out’ with Universal Television
Universal Television to Adapt Elise Hart Kipness’s Bestseller "Lights Out" for Series Development
Universal Television has announced it will develop “Lights Out,” the bestselling sports thriller by author and former national TV reporter Elise Hart Kipness, into a television series.
The project is set to feature an accomplished production team, including executive producers Mary J. Blige, Bruce Miller, and Milana Edwards-Brooks from Blue Butterfly Productions. Notable contributors also include Debra Martin Chase of Martin Chase Productions and Liz Friedlander, who will take on directing duties. Kipness, along with Liza Fleissig and Ginger Harris-Dontzin, will serve as consulting producers.
“Lights Out” is the first installment in Kipness’s Kate Green series. The narrative follows a former Olympic athlete turned sports reporter facing a series of personal crises. After being placed on temporary leave from her job, the plot thickens when NBA superstar Kurt Robbins is murdered and the main suspect is his wife, who happens to be Kate’s best friend. Determined to uncover the truth, Kate embarks on her own investigation, while her own life spirals further out of control.
Since its release by Thomas & Mercer in 2023, Lights Out became an instant Amazon bestseller. The series continued to gain traction, with the recent installment, Close Call, debuting last month and achieving a spot on the USA Today Bestseller List, peaking at #18.
Mary J. Blige, a Grammy and Emmy-winning artist, launched Blue Butterfly Productions in 2019 to expand her career into film and television. The company has secured a six-picture deal with Lifetime and has produced various acclaimed projects, including a documentary focused on her album My Life and executive producing Rob Peace alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor. Blige is represented by IAG and LaPolt Law.
Debra Martin Chase, a four-time Tony winner and three-time Emmy nominee, made history as the first Black female producer to secure a deal at a major studio, with her films grossing over $500 million at the box office. Her recent work includes contributions to CBS’s The Equalizer, the documentary Being Mary Tyler Moore, and the Academy Award-nominated film Harriet. Chase is represented by CAA and Nina Shaw of Del, Shaw, Moonves.
Liz Friedlander has an extensive background in directing and producing television, having worked on pilots for The Equalizer, The Lincoln Lawyer, and The Rookie, among others. She is currently directing episodes for Apple TV’s Foundation and is represented by CAA and Howard Abramson of Behr Abramson Levy Johnson.
Kipness is represented by IAG and Liza Royce Associates, with Fleissig and Harris-Dontzin also represented by IAG.
