Toheeb Jimoh and Dujonna Gift will lead the BBC’s adaptation of Caleb Azumah Nelson’s novel Open Water , announced on July 23, 2026. Jimoh plays Marcus, a retail worker and aspiring photographer, while Gift portrays Effie, a dance student in Dublin. Open Water follows Marcus and Effie after an instant connection pulls them together, despite Effie dating Marcus’ friend Samuel. Marcus refuses to cross that line, setting up a tender romance shaped by loyalty, friendship, ambition, and the emotional messiness of wanting someone at the wrong time. Why Is Open Water Already on Our Radar? Caleb Azumah Nelson, whose debut novel became one of the decade’s buzziest literary titles, is adapting and directing the screen version himself. The BBC first unveiled the project two years ago, and Nelson’s second novel, Small Worlds , has also been optioned by Brock Media. Jimoh earned an Emmy nomination for playing Sam in Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso , while Gift makes her television acting debut after playing Maple, Snow White’s best friend, in Disney’s 2025 live action film. The ensemble includes Rhianna Dorris, Lamar Waves, Nadine Marshall, Hope Ikpoku Jnr, Sekou Diaby, Tara Tijani, Enva Lewis, Janina Elkin, Sherise Blackman, and Mo Sesay, giving this BBC romance plenty of fresh faces to watch.