Diana Awad's "As Far as She Knew"

Diana Awad is an Arab American who grew up all over the world as the daughter of a United States Foreign Service Officer. After college, she became a local television journalist and often covered stories about violent crimes and mysterious disappearances. She eventually decided to write her own stories with unexpected endings. Awad also writes historical romance as Diana Quincy and historical mystery as D. M. Quincy. She is now happily settled in Virginia but still gets the itch to explore far-off places. When she’s not bent over her laptop, Awad reads, devours streaming thriller series, and plots her next travel adventure.

Here the author dreamcasts an adaptation of her new novel, As Far as She Knew:

I didn’t have any particular actors in mind when I wrote As Far as She Knew but would love to dreamcast my novel. Because representation absolutely matters, I’d want the majority of Arab American characters in the novel to be played by actors of Arab descent. Unfortunately, there are so few Arab Americans working in American TV and film that it would be difficult to come up with a comprehensive list, but I do have some thoughts.

A younger version of the Palestinian-American actor Waleed Zuaiter would be perfect in the role of Ali, husband of the lead character, Amira. Ali dies off page in the first scene but features prominently in flashbacks throughout the novel. Zuaiter, who I last saw in the miniseries The Girlfriend with Robin Wright, could effectively capture Ali’s quiet strength, kindness and empathy. 

For Ayla, Amira and Ali’s college-age daughter, I’d turn to Josie Totah, an actress best known to me for her role in The Buccaneers. I think Totah, who is of Palestinian and Lebanese descent, could portray the character’s outward grit and strength, as well as her inner emotional turmoil. 

Alia Shawkat, an American actress of Iraqi descent, would be perfect for the role of Lulu, Amira’s thirtysomething, straight talking, former wild child younger sister. Skawkat has embodied some of those qualities in shows like Arrested Development and Severance. 

I also have an idea of who would do a masterful job directing a movie or miniseries version of As Far as She Knew, and that is Cherien Dabis, an acclaimed Palestinian- American actress and director who excels in Arab American storytelling. Her multi- generational Palestinian family drama, All That’s Left of You, was shortlisted for an Academy Award for best international feature. Dabis has also directed episodes of Only Murders in the Building, so she knows her way around producing compelling shows with mystery elements.

Mostly though, since As Far as She Knew is published by Mindy’s Book Studio, it would be a dream if Mindy Kaling wanted to develop this project for the screen. With her writing and producing talents, my novel could not be in more capable hands.

Visit Diana Awad's website.

--Marshal Zeringue