TV Series Adaptation Of Achebe's 'Things Fall Apart' Features Idris Elba As Okonkwo

 Press Release

Achebe Masterworks Announces Development Deal with A24 for TV Series Adaptation of Things Fall Apart

In a landmark collaboration, Achebe Masterworks is thrilled to announce a partnership with acclaimed Studio A24 and producers, Idris Elba and David Oyelowo, for the television adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart.

Published in 1958, Things Fall Apart established African literature on the global stage and remains the most widely read African novel, with over 30 million copies sold and translations in more than 60 languages.

Recognized as one of Time Magazine’s “100 Greatest Novels of All Time” and listed by Encyclopedia Britannica as one of the “12 Greatest Books Ever Written,” Achebe’s work has profoundly influenced readers worldwide.

*Achebe 

As the world grapples with systemic racism, injustice and societal upheavals, Things Fall Apart continues to resonate with new generations.

“This moment makes the message of my husband’s work more urgent than ever, especially for Millennials and Generation Z,” said Christie Achebe. “Chinua Achebe’s stories speak to these movements from an African perspective, making them essential for the ongoing global conversation about race and identity.”  

This new television series will faithfully capture the sweeping, multi-generational narrative of The African Trilogy. Starting with Things Fall Apart, the series promises to bring Achebe’s epic stories to life for global audiences.

A TV series adaptation of Things Fall Apart starring Idris Elba as Okonkwo is a groundbreaking moment for African literature and global storytelling. Elba’s portrayal of the complex, tragic protagonist will bring Chinua Achebe’s iconic novel to new audiences, highlighting its timeless exploration of colonialism, identity, and cultural upheaval. As one of the most important works in world literature, Things Fall Apart remains deeply relevant, and this visual retelling will offer an unparalleled opportunity to deepen its impact, connecting the struggles of the past with contemporary conversations on race, power, and resilience.  

 The collaboration with A24, known for its commitment to groundbreaking storytelling, and visionaries like Elba and Oyelowo will ensure that Achebe’s legacy continues to inspire and challenge viewers.  

Praise for Chinua Achebe and Things Fall Apart:  

Nadine Gordimer: “A mind able to penetrate the mystery of being human.”

Nelson Mandela: “A writer in whose company the prison walls fell down.”

Toni Morrison: “African literature is incomplete and unthinkable without the works of Chinua Achebe. For passion, intellect and crystalline prose, he is unsurpassed.”

Barack Obama: “A true classic of world literature . . . a masterpiece that has inspired generations of writers in Nigeria, across Africa, and around the world.”

 John Updike: “Things Fall Apart is a great book, and everything Achebe writes bespeaks a great, brave, kind human spirit.”

Chidi Achebe MD, MPH, MBA - Ceo, Achebe Masterworks Professor Nwando Achebe PhD - Ceo, Achebe Masterworks Professor Chinelo Achebe EdD - Board Vice Chairperson Professor Christie Achebe EdD- Board Chairperson           Dayo Ogunyemi JD, MBA - Board Member