Malcolm D. Lee, creator of The Best Man film series, is transitioning the beloved franchise from screen to page. Teaming up with author Jayne Allen, known for Black Girls Must Die Exhausted, Lee is set to release a trilogy of novels that continue the saga of Harper, Jordan, Robyn, and the rest of the ensemble.
The Best Man Novel
The inaugural novel, The Best Man: Unfinished Business, is slated for release on July 1, 2025, under Storehouse Voices. This installment picks up where the 2022 Peacock series, The Best Man: The Final Chapters, concluded, delving into themes of mid-life challenges, unconventional parenthood, and rekindled romances.
Allen expressed her enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “Opening a new avenue of immersive storytelling for this beloved franchise through the written word is thrilling.” She added, “I hope that fans will love this fresh take on the well-known characters, especially to discover their voices sparkle as brightly on the page as they do on the … .”
Taye Diggs, who portrays Harper Stewart, shared his anticipation for the novel’s release. “When you’re as close to the … he remarked. Diggs further described the book as “emotionally-engrossing, seductive, and impossible to put down.”
Morris Chestnut, known for his role as Lance Sullivan, reflected on the enduring impact of the franchise. “When I met these classic characters … ,” he said. Chestnut praised Lee for continuously elevating the storytelling, noting that Unfinished Business presents the characters in a new light, promising both laughter and emotional depth.
Lee, who previously indicated that The Final Chapters would conclude the series, seems to have found renewed inspiration. “This is a fitting way to tie up the legacy of these characters,” he previously stated. However, the upcoming novels suggest that there are still stories left to tell.
Preorders for *The Best Man: Unfinished … * are currently available, with the novel set to hit bookshelves this summer. Fans can look forward to two additional installments in the trilogy, expected in 2026, ensuring that the journey of these cherished characters continues.