James R | On 05, Mar 2021

Gugu Mbatha-Raw (The Morning Show; Misbehaviour) and David Oyelowo (Selma; Les Misérables) will star in The Girl Before.

The psychological thriller, co-produced by BBC One and HBO Max, is adapted from JP Delaney’ bestselling novel of the same title. Delaney will create and exec-produce the four-part show, with Marissa Lestrade (White Stork; Deep State 2) co-writing and Lisa Brühlmann (Killing Eve; Servant; Blue My Mind) attached to direct.

The Girl Before tells the story of Jane (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), who gets the chance to move into a beautiful, ultra-minimalist house designed by an enigmatic architect (David Oyelowo). There’s just one catch: occupants have to abide by his list of exacting rules. Jane starts to feel the house changing her in unexpected ways, but when she makes the shocking discovery that her predecessor Emma died in the house, she’s forced to confront unnerving similarities. As the two women’s timelines interweave, Jane begins to question if her fate will be the same as the girl before.

The executive producers are Eleanor Moran, Rory Aitken and Ben Pugh for 42, Ben Irving for the BBC, JP Delaney and Lisa Brühlmann. Jeniffer Kim will oversee the project from HBO. Rhonda Smith will produce and Gugu Mbatha-Raw is also an associate producer.

Mbatha-Raw says: “I’m so excited to work with this amazing team on such a compelling story in my debut role as actor/producer.”

Oyelowo says: “This story is mind-bending in its clever construction and intricacy. I can’t wait to see it, let alone be in it. Plus, I’d go anywhere to work with my friend Gugu again.”

The Girl Before will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK and HBO Max in the US.

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