What is ‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’ About?
Per the book’s official synopsis: “Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life.
When she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one in the journalism community is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now? Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband, David, has left her, and her career has stagnated. Regardless of why Evelyn has chosen her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.
Summoned to Evelyn’s Upper East Side apartment, Monique listens as Evelyn unfurls her story: from making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the late 80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way. As Evelyn’s life unfolds-revealing a ruthless ambition, an unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love-Monique begins to feel a very a real connection to the actress. But as Evelyn’s story catches up with the present, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.
Written with Reid’s signature talent for “creating complex, likable characters” (Real Simple), this is a fascinating journey through the splendor of Old Hollywood into the harsh realities of the present day as two women struggle with what it means-and what it takes-to face the truth.”
Is The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo based on a true story?
While The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a fictional tale, and therefore not based on a true story, readers have drawn plenty of comparisons to the lives of real-life Hollywood stars, most notably Elizabeth Taylor. Just like Evelyn Hugo, Taylor was married seven times, and both married for the first time as teens in the early ’50s. Both marriages were short-lived, lasting for just under a year. Some of their marriages also mirrored one another’s, including their fourth husbands both involved in the music industry. Both were also some of the most iconic Hollywood stars.
Readers have also drawn comparisons between Hugo and Ava Gardner, who revealed the secrets of her life to a journalist, who later published the confessions in a book titled Ava Gardner: The Secret Conversations. Jenkins Reid, meanwhile, revealed in an interview with PopSugar in 2017 that Rita Hayworth served as inspiration for the character.
‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’ is part of a larger universe
While The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a standalone book, it is part of a larger universe, consisting of four books, set within Reid’s eight-book collection. The quartet of books centers around famous women throughout various decades and begins with Evelyn Hugo. Daisy Jones and The Six is the second novel in the quartet and is centered around a fictional ’70s rock band. The quartet also includes Malibu Rising and Carrie Soto is Back, about a female athlete. While all four books act as standalones, there is one recurring figure: Mick Riva, a singer, who appears in each of the four novels.
‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’ was initially set at Freeform
Reid’s beloved novel wasn’t always set for a movie at Netflix. In 2019, Deadline confirmed that the novel was set to be adapted into a series at Freeform. Reid was attached to the show as writer, with Ilene Chaiken (The L Word, Empire) and Jennifer Beals (The L Word) set to executive produce. Fox 21 Television Studios, where Chaiken is under a deal, was the studio. Little information about the series came in the years that followed until it was announced in March 2022 that book would instead be adapted into a movie at Netflix.
Who is attached to ‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’?
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is being adapted for Netflix by Liz Tigelaar, known for developing, showrunning, and executive producing other popular series including Hulu’s Little Fires Everywhere. Reid, meanwhile, is attached as executive producer alongside Margaret Chernin.
‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’ script is complete
While little info has followed that March 2022 announcement, Reid and Tigelarr revealed in an interview with the Associated Press in March 2023 that the Evelyn Hugo script is “done.” Asked about the massive task of adapting the 400-page novel into a movie, Tigelaar admitted that she “did not know when I took on the Evelyn Hugo script what a big deal that Evelyn Hugo script was,” adding that she “just knew I read the book and loved” before revealing the status of the script.
“And so the script is – it’s done. It is now in the hands of the people who are going to make it, and I am so proud of it,” she said. “Taylor Jenkins Reed obviously was an amazing collaborator, amazing to work with, and I can’t wait to see it come to life. I’m so proud of the script and that that movie is hopefully going to be out there.”
Will the story be condensed?
While fans are ecstatic that they will see Reid’s novel play out on the screen, news that the adaptation was switching from a series to a movie left many concerned. Given the setup of the book, which covers cover one of Evelyn ‘s husbands in each section, many believed the novel was perfectly set up for an eight to 10 episode limited series, with each episode covering one of Evelyn’s husbands, as well as her love story with Celia and her story with Monique. Limiting the story to the timeframe of a single movie, however, seemed to be more difficult, with many unable to see how the full story could be covered. Reid, however, assured fans in that same AP interview that the story is not condensed.
“Liz Tigelaar, who wrote the script is a phenomenal talent, and she showed up. I said, ‘I don’t know how you’re going to do this. I think you need to condense the story.’ And she said, ‘No, I don’t.’ And I go, ‘OK,'” she recalled. “And then she turns in the script and I was like, ‘I was wrong. You were right. You got it.'”
‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’ cast
At this time, Netflix has not made any casting announcements for the film adaptation, though it seems casting news could be coming soon. Reid teased in March that while “there is no news to tell you…who is going to play Evelyn Hugo and who might play Celia St. James are always in the forefront of my mind.” The best-selling author, who added that “they’re some of the most exciting questions that Brad (Mendelsohn) and I deal with on a daily basis,” said that while “there is no definitive answer” regarding casting at this time, there is “a short list of women that I am incredibly, incredibly excited about. And, you know, hopefully we will make that decision soon.”
Jessica Chastain will not portray Celia St. James
Amid the buzz surrounding the film’s casting, one thing is known: Jessica Chastain will not take on the role of Celia. Although Chastain has long-been a fan-favorite for the role, the actress confirmed in an interaction with a fan earlier this year that she was not cast in the film. Asked by a fan to sign her copy of the book, Chastain said that she wasn’t able to do that, “just because I’m not doing it.” Chastain later clarified her remarks on Twitter.
“I’ve been asked multiple times by fans, to sign books that I’m not attached to contractually. Because it feels wrong, and like Im taking credit for someone else’s work, I’ll say I cant sign because I’m not doing it. That doesn’t mean I’ve read a bad script,” she wrote. “I know how excited many you are about adaptations. Please dont read too much into a video. There is no news about anything. Except that I’m onstage until June 10th. Hope to see you.”
‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’ premiere date
At this time, Netflix has not set a premiere date, or even a premiere year, for it’s The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo film. Since the script it confirmed to be done, however, we at least know that the movie is one step closer to filming, though it will likely be a bit of a wait before fans can watch the movie.
Where can I watch ‘The Seven Husbands’ of Evelyn Hugo’ movie?
Although a premiere date for the film hasn’t yet been released, we do know where it will be available to stream. The film is a Netflix adaptation, and as such, it will be available to stream exclusively on Netflix when it does release.