Lupita Nyong’o's departure means HBO Max won't proceed with Americanah from Danai Gurira

Variety

HBO Max last year gave a 10-episode order to the limited series from the Black Panther co-stars, with Nyong’o starring and Gurira writing the pilot and serving as showrunner on the TV adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel. Variety reports: "Americanah was originally meant to start shooting earlier this year, but the production dates were pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, Nyong’o then had to drop out as it conflicted with other projects on her schedule." Americanah is a longtime passion project for Nyong’o, who originally planned for it to be a movie.