Freida Pinto to Star in Netflix's Adaptation of Jhumpa Lahiri's Unaccustomed Earth

Freida Pinto Takes the Lead in Unaccustomed Earth

Freida Pinto is set to star in the upcoming Netflix series adaptation of Jhumpa Lahiri's acclaimed short story collection, Unaccustomed Earth.

This project was unveiled by Netflix back in April and will consist of eight episodes.

Pinto, recognized for her roles in award-winning films like Slumdog Millionaire, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, and Love Sonia, will portray the character Parul Chaudhury.

Unaccustomed Earth is characterized as an "epic, soapy, and culturally rich drama that explores the dynamics of a close-knit Indian American community as they navigate themes of love, desire, and identity."

The official logline describes the series as "filled with depth, emotion, and memorable characters, Unaccustomed Earth immerses viewers in the exclusive and tight-knit Indian-American community of Cambridge, MA. When a passionate romance between a devoted wife and her former love is revealed, it sparks a scandal and ignites new conflicts within this closely connected immigrant community."

John Wells, known for his work on the popular series Shameless and films like August: Osage County and Burnt, will write the series in partnership with Madhuri Shekar, who will take on the role of showrunner.

Ritesh Batra, the director behind The Lunchbox and Photograph, will direct and executive produce the first two episodes.

Nisha Ganatra, the filmmaker who initially acquired the rights to the book and developed the series, will also serve as an executive producer.

Jhumpa Lahiri will join as an executive producer alongside Erica Saleh, Erin Jontow, and Celia Costas. Her 2003 novel, The Namesake, was notably adapted into a film in 2006 by Mira Nair, featuring Kal Penn, Tabu, and Irrfan Khan.