Actress Adjoa Andoh and comedian Robert Webb will be part of the panel of judges judging the 2023 Booker Prize.
Bridgerton star Andoh, 59, and the Peep Show actor, 50, both wrote and directed productions and served as literary judges for other competitions.
Webb, known for his comedy collaborations with David Mitchell, also judged the BBC Young Writers’ Award.
Role: Actress Adjoa Andoh (pictured) and comedian Robert Webb will be part of the panel of judges judging the 2023 Booker Prize
Andoh was one of those who won the 2016 AKO Caine Prize for Writing in Africa.
Earlier this year she was also made an honorary fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and an Oxford visiting professor of contemporary theatre.
They are joined by Canadian author Esi Edugyan, award-winning Hong Kong poet Mary Jean Chan and American professor James Shapiro, who specializes in William Shakespeare.
Words: Bridgerton star Andoh, 59, and Peep Show actor, 50 (pictured) have written and directed productions and acted as literary judges for other competitions
All judges are joining the Booker Prize judging panel for the first time, a spokesperson for the annual prize told the PA news agency.
Chairman Edugyan said: “I am very excited about the chance to immerse myself in great storytelling, in its enduring ability to shock, thrill, devastate and comfort.”
She believes that the experiences, views and vocations of her fellow panelists will undoubtedly spark fruitful conversation.
Experience: Andoh was one of those who won the 2016 AKO Caine Prize for Writing in Africa (pictured left as Lady Danbury in Bridgerton)
Gaby Wood, executive director of the Booker Prize Foundation, said Edugyan’s two Booker shortlisted novels, Washington Black and Half Blood Blues, were “excellent entertainment and subtle acts of new imagination.”
She added: “I have no doubt that her wit and composure will bring out the best in this glorious group.”
The coming-of-age story Washington Black, set on a slave plantation, was previously announced as an upcoming 2023 Disney and Hulu series starring Black Panther actor Sterling K Brown and co-produced by Edugyan.
The 2023 jury will select books published between 1 October 2022 and 30 September 2023 to win the Booker Prize and £50,000.
This year, Sri Lankan author Shehan Karunatilaka accepted the literary award for his novel The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida, a dark comedy crime thriller set during the Sri Lankan civil war.
His independent British publisher Sort of Books has reprinted more than 270,000 copies of his book since it was announced in October.
Winner: This year Sri Lankan author Shehan Karunatilaka accepted the literary award for his novel The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida, a dark comedy crime thriller set during the Sri Lankan Civil War
Source: Daily Mail
Ashley Root is an author and celebrity journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for all things celebrity, Ashley is always up-to-date on the latest gossip and trends in the world of entertainment.
