David Farnor | On 29, Dec 2020

Amazon Studios has joined with musician, actress, entrepreneur, and author Jessica Simpson in a unique multi-media rights deal.

Simpson’s critically-acclaimed memoir Open Book debuted at #1 in three categories of The New York Times bestseller list, and was included in Time’s 100 Must-Read Books of 2020 and Rolling Stone’s Best Music Books of 2020.

Amazon’s new deal includes a new unscripted docuseries based on Open Book, as well as the development of a new coming-of-age scripted series, also inspired by the memoir. 

Simpson said: “I am humbled and honored to partner with Amazon Studios to bring my story and heart to life on the screen. I am a huge TV fan and many of my favorite shows live on Amazon Prime Video, so the gift of this unprecedented collaboration is a dream for me. From our first meeting I had a visceral connection to every member of this team.  I know that parts of my life have been extraordinary, but I also know that many of my struggles are universal. I hope to continue the mission I set out to accomplish in writing Open Book – to inspire others to be entertained, moved, and empowered to walk through fear and come out on the other side even stronger.” 
 
“We’re thrilled to welcome Jessica to the Amazon family. Jessica has a fascinating, emotional story, not just of celebrity and success, but with relatable, all-too-human problems so many of us encounter with love, family, and life,” said Vernon Sanders, Co-Head of Television, Amazon Studios. “Open Book was a phenomenon, and we’re so excited to bring it to life on Prime Video and IMDb TV, and for Amazon Original Stories readers to have the chance to hear more from Jessica in her own words.”
 
Premiering on Amazon Prime Video, the unscripted project will be a raw and revealing multi-part docuseries including vivid and intimate, never-before-seen personal footage shot over the last decade. It will explore the highs and lows of Simpson’s life, including her singing career, her journey to sobriety, starting a family, the rise of creating a billion-dollar business, and finding her voice. Simpson will serve as an executive producer on the series, with Lauren Auslander and Lacy Lynch.
 
The afictionalized drama – inspired by Open Book and Jessica coming of age in her mid-twenties, following her divorce – will be produced by Simpson and Patrick Moran of PKM Productions, alongside Lynch and Auslander.
 
Music will be a key component of both series.
 
Amazon Original Stories has also acquired two essays from Jessica Simpson, slated to be released in 2021. The first essay will focus on motherhood, and the second will focus on gratitude. The essays will be available free to Prime Members and Kindle Unlimited subscribers in digital and audio formats; Simpson will narrate the audio editions.  
 

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