Kevin Wiliamson to Develop Ashley Elston’s Hit Novel ‘First Lie Wins’ at Universal TV (EXCLUSIVE)

Ashley Elston’s bestseller “First Lie Wins” is being adapted into a series, Variety can exclusively announce. Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, has acquired the rights to the 2024 thriller, with Kevin Williamson attached to co-write and executive produce. Elston will also serve as executive producer.

Jordan Moblo, evp of creative acquisitions and IP management at Universal Studio Group, announced the news on Wednesday during a conversation at SCAD TVfest.

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“First Lie Wins,” a Reese’s Book Club pick, was Elston’s first adult novel after she became a mainstay in the YA world; the book was translated into more than 30 languages and sold more than one million copies.

Per the official logline, “First Lie Wins” follows “con artist Evie Porter, who assumes new identities for her mysterious boss, but finds her current assignment – a seemingly perfect life with a fiancé – threatened when her past catches up to her, forcing her to set a final trap to escape.”

Williamson, who has an overall deal with Universal TV along with his company, Outerbanks Entertainment, most recently created “The Waterfront” for Netflix. He created the teen drama series, “Dawson’s Creek,” which ran for six seasons on the WB, co-created “The Vampire Diaries,” and launched Fox’s hit “The Following.”

Williamson wrote “Scream,” “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” and “The Faculty.” This month, Williamson returns to the “Scream” universe to direct the seventh installment — his first time directing in more than two decades.

Ben Fast will executive produce “First Lie Wins” for Outerbanks Entertainment. Williamson is repped by CAA and Felker Toczek Suddleson Abramson McGinnis Ryan. Elston is repped by CAA and Sterling Lord Literistic.