Netflix is expanding its growing slate of BookTok-inspired adaptations with a feature film based on Ali Hazelwood’s bestselling romance novel Deep End, reports Deadline.
The streaming giant has officially begun developing the project after securing the adaptation rights in a major pre-publication deal. Released in 2025 by Berkley, an imprint of Penguin Random House, Deep End debuted at No. 1 on The New York Times bestseller list and has since become one of the year’s biggest New Adult romance novels.
The story follows the passionate and forbidden romance between a fiercely competitive college diver and an elite swimmer as they navigate ambition, attraction and the pressures of collegiate athletics.
Screenwriter Laura Kosann has been tapped to adapt the novel for the screen.
The film will be produced by Shawn Levy and Dan Levine through 21 Laps, alongside Alex Cooper and Matt Kaplan for Unwell Productions.
Hazelwood will serve as an executive producer alongside Matthew Janzen for Unwell Productions, while Emily Morris and Emily Feher will oversee the project for 21 Laps.
Since its publication, Deep End has been licensed in 21 international territories and has sold nearly 1.5 million copies worldwide, further cementing Hazelwood’s popularity among romance readers.
The adaptation continues Netflix’s investment in BookTok-driven romance stories. Earlier this year, the streamer released People We Meet on Vacation, based on Emily Henry’s bestselling novel.
Following the film’s debut, the book returned to The New York Times bestseller list and reportedly doubled its sales across all formats.
Netflix also recently announced Icebreaker, an adaptation of Hannah Grace’s bestselling sports romance novel, which will also be produced by Unwell Productions.
Deep End marks Hazelwood’s second novel to receive a feature adaptation. Her breakout bestseller The Love Hypothesis has already been adapted into a film by Amazon MGM Studios and MRC, with a Prime Video release scheduled for 23 September.
A former neuroscience professor and researcher, Hazelwood left academia in 2022 to pursue writing full time.
She has since sold more than 10 million books worldwide, with other bestselling titles including Love, Theoretically and Bride.
Kosann recently adapted the bestselling novel Butcher & Blackbird for director Chris McKay and is also developing the English-language adaptation of the hit Chinese comedy Hi, Mom for Sony Pictures.
Production company 21 Laps is coming off the commercial success of Backrooms, which has become A24’s highest-grossing film to date.
Meanwhile, Unwell Productions, founded by podcast host Alex Cooper, is continuing its expansion into scripted entertainment following projects including Call Her Alex, Love Overboard, and the upcoming Netflix reality series Let’s Marry Harry.
Netflix has not yet announced a director, cast or release date for Deep End.
However, the adaptation further strengthens the streamer’s strategy of bringing bestselling romance novels with devoted online fan bases to the screen.
