Netflix Greenlights Television Adaptation of Curtis Sittenfeld Bestselling Novel Prep
After a twenty-year wait and a prior abandoned attempt, the acclaimed coming-of-age book is finally becoming a television series under the guidance of One Day creator Nicole Taylor.
Published 3 November 2026
The Long-Awaited Greenlight
Netflix has officially granted a straight-to-series order to a television adaptation of Curtis Sittenfeld's popular coming-of-age novel. The project brings the beloved book to the screen more than twenty years after its original publication.
The upcoming half-hour drama is scheduled to open its dedicated writers' room in January 2027, marking a major milestone for fans who have awaited an adaptation for decades.
Plot and Source Material
Written by Curtis Sittenfeld and published in 2005, the story centers on Lee Fiora, a scholarship student navigating the challenging social landscape of a prestigious New England boarding school.
The narrative explores themes of class disparity, romance, insecurity, and privilege as the protagonist attempts to fit in among her wealthy peers, drawing partial inspiration from the author's own school experiences.
Creative Leadership Behind the Project
Nicole Taylor, known for her work on the television series One Day, is officially attached to the project as the writer, showrunner, and executive producer.
Additional executive production duties are handled by Will Ferrell, Jessica Elbaum, and Alix Taylor through Gloria Sanchez Productions, alongside author Curtis Sittenfeld.
Showrunner Connection and Previous Success
The series marks Nicole Taylor's latest collaboration with Netflix following her success with the 2024 romantic drama One Day, which adapted David Nicholls' novel.
That previous series followed the complicated relationship between characters Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley across two decades, earning strong critical praise and high audience scores.
Prior Adaptation Attempts
This new production follows an earlier, unrealized effort to bring the book to television screens back in 2016 when HBO began developing a comedy version.
That previous attempt involved creative input from 30 Rock writer Colleen McGuinness and Game of Thrones executive producer Carolyn Strauss, though it ultimately never moved forward.
Platform Context and YA Lineup
The upcoming series will join Netflix's expanding collection of teen and young adult dramas, which includes titles such as Outer Banks and My Life with the Walter Boys.
With young adult programming generating massive global viewership figures on the platform, the streamer continues to invest heavily in similar upcoming content.
News Overview
Netflix has given a straight-to-series order to an adaptation of Curtis Sittenfeld's 2005 novel Prep, spearheaded by One Day creator Nicole Taylor. The upcoming half-hour drama follows a scholarship student at a New England boarding school and arrives two decades after the book's publication following an abandoned HBO attempt.
Key facts
- Prep was published in 2005 as a bestselling novel by Curtis Sittenfeld.
- Netflix gave Prep a straight-to-series order.
- Nicole Taylor is attached as writer, showrunner, and executive producer.
- The writers' room for the series is expected to open in January 2027.
- Will Ferrell, Jessica Elbaum, and Alix Taylor are executive producing through Gloria Sanchez Productions.
- HBO previously began developing a comedy series based on the novel in 2016.
- One Day premiered on Netflix in 2024 and starred Leo Woodall and Ambika Mod.