Tessa Thompson launches her new production company Viva Maude with a first-look deal with HBO

Tessa Thompson launches her new production company Viva Maude with a first-look deal with HBO and HBO Max setting up two book adaptations

Tessa Thompson has established herself as a tour de force in front of the camera and now she’s trying to do the same behind the camera with a new producing deal.

The 37-year-old Thor: Ragnarok star has launched her new production company entitled Viva Maude with HBO and HBO Max, according to Deadline.  

She will kick off her overall deal by executive producing two new book adaptations, Who Fears Death and The Secret Lives of Church Ladies.

Tessa produces: Tessa Thompson has established herself as a tour de force in front of the camera and now she’s trying to do the same behind the camera with a new producing deal

New deal: The 37-year-old Thor: Ragnarok star has launched her new production company entitled Viva Maude with HBO and HBO Max, according to Deadline

New deal: The 37-year-old Thor: Ragnarok star has launched her new production company entitled Viva Maude with HBO and HBO Max, according to Deadline 

‘I’m beyond thrilled to officially launch my production company, Viva Maude, which has been a real passion project and labour of love over the last few years,’ Thompson said in a statement.

‘I’m elated to begin this partnership and to bring entertaining and impactful television projects to my friends and collaborators at HBO and HBO Max,’ she added.

‘Together we are committed to developing interesting and inclusive stories with inventive creators and to discover new voices and visionaries,’ she concluded.

Statement: 'I’m beyond thrilled to officially launch my production company, Viva Maude, which has been a real passion project and labour of love over the last few years,' Thompson said in a statement

Statement: ‘I’m beyond thrilled to officially launch my production company, Viva Maude, which has been a real passion project and labour of love over the last few years,’ Thompson said in a statement

Who Fears Death is an adaptation of the Nnedi Okorafor novel of the same, telling the coming-of-age tale of Onyesowu in a post-apocalyptic North Africa.

Onyesowu must go on a journey of self-discovery that includes defeating her hated sorcerer father and fulfilling a prophecy for her land of oppressed people.

Along the way, she must also learn to deal with and control the terrifying powers that reside inside her.

Novel: Who Fears Death is an adaptation of the Nnedi Okorafor novel of the same, telling the coming-of-age tale of Onyesowu in a post-apocalyptic North Africa

Novel: Who Fears Death is an adaptation of the Nnedi Okorafor novel of the same, telling the coming-of-age tale of Onyesowu in a post-apocalyptic North Africa

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies is adapted from a short story collection written by Deesha Philyaw, which was a finalist for the 2020 National Book Award for Fiction.

The book is comprised of nine stories about, ‘Black women, church and sexuality,’ according to the report.

The stories explore, ‘the raw and tender places where Black women and girls dare to follow their desires and pursue a momentary reprieve from being good.’

Finalist: The Secret Lives of Church Ladies is adapted from a short story collection written by Deesha Philyaw, which was a finalist for the 2020 National Book Award for Fiction

Finalist: The Secret Lives of Church Ladies is adapted from a short story collection written by Deesha Philyaw, which was a finalist for the 2020 National Book Award for Fiction

The author Philyaw is also writing the adaptation, with Thompson serving as executive producer. 

Thompson is coming off Sylvie’s Love on Amazon and The Left Game, which she also produced, and she’ll next be seen in Passing with Alexander Skarsgard. 

She also recently confirmed that her Creed and Creed II co-star Michael B. Jordan will make his directing debut with Creed III, with Thompson returning as Bianca.