British-Nigerian writer Bolu Babalola's bestselling romantic comedy novel Honey & Spice is officially being adapted for the big screen, marking a significant milestone for Black British representation in cinema.
From Bestseller to Big Screen
The film adaptation will be produced by Working Title Films, the renowned British production company behind iconic romantic comedies including Bridget Jones's Diary, Notting Hill, and Love Actually. According to industry reports from Deadline, the production company secured the film rights to bring Babalola's beloved campus romance to global audiences.
In an exciting development for fans, Bolu Babalola will herself write the screenplay for the feature film adaptation. This represents her feature film writing debut, following her previous work on the Channel 4 pilot Big Age, which she both wrote and executive-produced.
What Makes Honey & Spice Special?
The novel centers around Kiki Banjo, a sharp-witted and principled student at Whitewell University who hosts Brown Sugar, a popular campus radio show dedicated to warning Black women about unreliable men she calls 'Wastemen of Whitewell'. The story takes an unexpected turn when Kiki accidentally kisses Malakai Korede, the very same man she recently criticized on her show.
To manage the resulting campus drama, Kiki and Malakai enter into a fake relationship that gradually evolves into something more genuine. The narrative skillfully combines enemies-to-lovers and fake dating tropes with authentic Black British cultural experiences, creating a story that has resonated deeply with readers worldwide.
Amelia Granger, Head of Film & TV at Working Title, emphasized that the company actively seeks storytellers who can reinvent the romantic comedy genre for new generations, identifying Babalola as precisely that kind of innovative voice.
Broader Cultural Significance
Bolu Babalola has established herself as a significant voice in contemporary romance literature. Holding both a law degree and a master's in American Politics & History from University College London, she describes herself as a 'Romcomoisseur' and creates characters she describes as dynamic, complicated women who are 'both beauty and the beast.'
In a 2022 interview with The Cut, Babalola addressed the frequent dismissal of romance as a genre, noting that this often stems from its association with femininity, which society frequently undervalues. She argues that romance writing actually demands considerable emotional intelligence and deep introspection into human connections.
Beyond the central romance, Honey & Spice explores themes of Black sisterhood, navigating predominantly white academic institutions, and how friendship communities influence personal growth and romantic relationships. As Babalola has stated, 'We don't grow in isolation,' reflecting the novel's emphasis on community alongside romance.
This adaptation promises to deliver something Black British audiences have long awaited: a genuine romantic comedy that captures their specific cultural experiences, including authentic humor, slang, music references, and the particular challenges of navigating youth and identity within British institutions.
With Bolu Babalola personally adapting the screenplay, fans can anticipate that the film will maintain the novel's distinctive voice, cultural authenticity, and the charming banter that made the book so beloved. The project represents a significant step toward more diverse and authentic representation in British cinema.
