Nzingha Stewart To Direct Netflix Limited Series ‘From Scratch’ Starring Zoe Saldana
Deadline is reporting that Emmy-nominated writer, producer and director Nzingha Stewart (Little Fires Everywhere, Tall Girl) is set to direct five episodes, including the pilot episode, of Netflix limited series From Scratch, starring and executive produced by Zoe Saldana. Based on Tembi Locke’s best-selling memoir, the series is from Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine banner and 3 Arts Entertainment. Stewart will also serve as producing director. Production begins this spring.
From Scratch is a sweeping, autobiographical romance that follows an American woman as she falls in love with a Sicilian man while studying abroad in Italy then builds a life with him in the United States. When she unexpectedly loses him to illness, she is challenged to pull herself through grief so she can raise their daughter as they would have raised her together: with hope, joy, and infinite love.
Locke’s sister Attica Locke (Empire, When They See Us), will serve as showrunner and executive produce with Saldana. Witherspoon and her producing partner, Lauren Neustadter will executive produce under Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine banner, along with Richard Abate, Jermaine Johnson and Will Rowbotham of 3 Arts Entertainment. Saldana’s sisters Cisely Saldana and Mariel Saldana will co-produce.
From Scratch was published in 2019 by Simon and Schuster and was selected as Reese’s Book Club x Hello Sunshine May 2019 book pick.