Children of Blood and Bone, the #1 New York Times bestselling young adult fantasy novel by Tomi Adeyemi, is finally coming to life. The story is set in a fictional land inspired by West African culture and follows a young girl named Zélie Adebola. Zélie is a diviner, one of the magical people in her world who can harness the power of the gods.

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Today, Paramount Pictures has announced the cast of their upcoming film adaptation! Starring as Zélie is Thuso Mbedu (The Woman King). Tosin Cole (Supacell) will play her older brother, Tzain. Amandla Stenberg (The Hate U Give) will portray Amari and her older sister, Inan, will be played by Damson Idris (Snowfall).

Also confirmed for the cast is Academy Award® winner Viola Davis (The Woman King) in the role of Mama Agba. Cynthia Erivo (Wicked) will play Admiral Kaea. Idris Elba (Luther) is taking on Lekan. Bob Marley: One Love’s Lashana Lynch is Jumoke as well as Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) as King Saran.

Directing Children of Blood and Bone will be acclaimed filmmaker Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Woman King). Production will begin filming in South Africa in the coming weeks.

Paramount Pictures President and CEO Brian Robbins, with Motion Picture Group Presidents Daria Cercek and Mike Ireland, secured the rights to the trilogy.

“I am so honored and excited to bring Tomi’s Children of Blood and Bone and the vibrant world of Orisha to life. Our incredible ensemble reflects the whole of the diaspora. This is where our magic lies.”

Prince-Bythewood

MORE ABOUT CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE

In Children of Blood and Bone, in an African fantasy kingdom, a young woman goes on a quest to reclaim the magic that was violently stolen from her people. She and her brother ally with the daughter and son of the king to fight back against his brutal rule.

The book series has become an instant classic, with the Legacy of Orïsha trilogy spending a combined 175 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list, including four weeks at #1 on the Young Adult Hardcover list for Children of Blood and Bone; five weeks at #1 on the Young Adult Hardcover list for Children of Virtue and Vengeance; and one week at #1 on the Children’s & Young Adult Series list for Children of Anguish and Anarchy. In total, the series has sold almost three million copies worldwide and garnered critical acclaim, with Children of Blood and Bone being featured as a Top 100 Fantasy Books of All Time; a New York Times Notable Children’s Book; and a Kirkus Prize Finalist, among other distinctions.

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