Paramount+ goes on The Road Trip with UK commission of O’Leary book adaptation

Paramount+ has greenlit an adaptation of British author Beth O’Leary’s 2021 novel The Road Trip, for launch on the streaming platform globally.

London- and LA-based prodco 42 is producing the 6×45’ series with Paramount Television International Studios (PTIS), part of the streamer’s parent company Paramount Global. The move follows the companies’ adaptation of O’Leary’s debut novel The Flatshare, which launched on Paramount+ last year.

The Road Trip is a romantic comedy about giving love another shot. The plot follows two sisters who are on a road trip to a friend’s wedding in Spain where they are forced to share the ride with one of their exes, his best friend and a complete stranger.

Emma Appleton (The Killing), Laurie Davidson (Mary & George), David Jonsson (Rye Lane), Isabella Laughland (Foundation) and Angus Imrie (The Crown) star. Filming has commenced on location in Bristol in the UK, with filming also taking place on the Spanish island of Gran Canaria.

China Moo-Young (Everything I Know About Love) is lead director and Stella Corradi (Killing Eve) will direct block two. The executive producers for 42 are Miriam Brent, Rory Aitken and Eleanor Moran. Nikki Wilson (Wolf) is producer and Kingsley Hoskins (The Girl Before) is coproducer.

Sebastian Cardwell

Ryan O’Sullivan and Matilda Wnek (Vigil 2) are the lead writers and also serve as exec producers. Phoebe Eclair-Powell (Two Weeks to Live) writes episodes three and four, with Waleed Akhtar (The P Word) writing episode five.

Sebastian Cardwell, deputy chief content officer for Paramount+ UK, said: “We saw brilliant success across the globe with The Flatshare. The Road Trip is the perfect addition to our expanding drama slate on Paramount+ and I can’t wait to see this incredible cast bring these characters to life.”

The TV rights deal was forged by Sheila David at Catapult Rights with Tanera Simons at Darley Anderson & Associates.