‘Like Water For Chocolate’ Is Being Adapted Into A Television Series

Laura Esquivel’s story of forbidden love and independence is being adapted for television.

Mexican author’s 1989 classic novel Like Water for Chocolate (Como Agua Para Chocolate) is being developed into an English-language series by Endemol Shine North America, according to Deadline.

“It fills me with joy to know that Like Water for Chocolate will be brought to television screens throughout the world by a studio that bets on quality in producing content for each of its projects,” Esquivel said in a statement on March 2. “Of all the companies that offered to create the series, Endemol Shine Studios stood out in sharing a vision of Like Water for Chocolate closest to my own: leading from the heart.”

Esquivel novel tells the story of Tita de la Garza, the youngest daughter in a family living in Mexico at the turn of the century. Tita must challenge tradition to be with the love of her life, Pedro, and create her own destiny. The character’s story is told with a touch of magical realism, in monthly installments and with each chapter featuring a recipe.

The novel was adapted into a critically-acclaimed Spanish-language film of the same name in 1992, with Esquivel writing the screenplay herself. The movie was nominated for a Golden Globe in the Best Foreign Language Film category.