Love, Simon’s director might be adapting another classic LGBT book

It looks like we might be seeing another LGBT teen novel adapted by the director of gay rom-com Love, Simon.

According to Variety, director and producer Greg Berlanti has optioned the rights to teen novel The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue.

Berlanti is expected to make a television series from the historical adventure story, working with Warner Brothers TV to make our dreams come true.

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, by Mackenzi Lee, was released last year and follows the adventures of a bisexual British lord who is in love with his best friend.

(Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Entertainment Weekly)

The book was well received, topping multiple bestseller charts.

Related: Could a raft of new bisexual characters on TV be signalling the end of bi-erasure? There’s still work to do

The director and producer is now reportedly searching for a showrunner to take on the project before approaching television networks.

Berlanti is best known as the driving force behind several small screen superhero sagas.

(The CW)

Along with a team of fellow creatives, Berlanti has written and produced shows such as Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl and Legends of Tomorrow.

He executive produces DC Comics’ series Black Lightning and mystery-filled teen-drama Riverdale.

Berlanti is also one of the people behind the upcoming reboot of Sabrina The Teenage Witch.

However, many will recognise Berlanti primarily for his work as the director of Love, Simon, a big screen adaptation of the popular young adult novel Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda.

(Love, Simon)

The coming-of-age coming out tale received rave reviews internationally and prompted several stars, including Neil Patrick Harris and Kristen Bell, to buy out screenings across the US.


In April, it was announced that Berlanti will be honoured by LGBT+ charity The Trevor Project later this year.

Along with screenwriter Lena Waithe, Berlanti will be given the charity’s Hero Award to mark his continuing support for the organisation.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - MARCH 01: Honoree Lena Waithe speaks onstage during the 2018 Essence Black Women In Hollywood Oscars Luncheon at Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel on March 1, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Essence)

(Getty)

The author of The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, Mackenzi Lee, made headlines last year after confirming that she would be writing a Marvel character as pansexual and genderfluid.

In December, Lee revealed that she would be penning a three-book fiction series with Marvel that would focus on the anti-hero, Loki.

When asked whether Loki would be queer in the new novels, Lee replied: “Loki is a canonically pansexual and gender-fluid character. So.”

Yet again, 20-GayTeen just got a whole lot better.