UCP Acquires Rights to Katie Cotugno Novel ‘Heavy Hitter’ (EXCLUSIVE)

UCP has acquired the Katie Cotugno novel “Heavy Hitter” with plans to develop it as a TV series, Variety has learned exclusively.

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The official description of the novel states:

“‘Heavy Hitter’ follows Lacey Logan, who, with four chart-topping albums is a superstar whose life no longer feels like her own. To maintain her privacy, Lacey skillfully controls her narrative, showing fans and paparazzi what she wants them to see. But when Lacey discovers her boyfriend is hiding two devastating secrets—a bad cocaine habit and a pregnant girlfriend—she begins to lose confidence and control of her own story. Then big-shouldered baseball player Jimmy Hodges, a former Rookie of the Year when Lacey was in high school, walks into the bar where she is venting to a friend. With his shaggy beard and unfashionable button-down, Jimmy is the opposite of the picture-perfect guy Lacey thinks she wants. Soon, sparks fly, and inhibitions go out the window when Lacey dares to take some chances. Lacey and Jimmy are polar opposites. But could this be the forever after they both need?”

No writer or network/streaming service is currently attached to the project.

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“I couldn’t be more thrilled to work with the team at UCP to bring Heavy Hitter to the screen, said Cotugno. “From our very first conversation, collaborative creative spirit was in the air.”

“Heavy Hitter” was published in August 2024. It is Cotugno’s latest work, as she has published more than a dozen novels to date. Her other works include “Liar’s Beach,” “You Say It First,” “Meet the Benedettos,” and “Birds of California.” She is repped by WME and Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc.

UCP’s current slate of series includes shows like “The Umbrella Academy” (which just launched its final season on Netflix), the “Ted” prequel series at Peacock, “Resident Alien” at USA Network ( formerly at Syfy ), “Chucky” at Syfy, and “Based on a True Story” at Peacock.

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