Caroline Kepnes
{{Short description|American writer}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Caroline Kepnes
| image = Caroline Kepnes, 2019.png
| alt =
| caption = Caroline Kepnes at Bloody Scotland, 2019
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1976|11|10}}
| birth_place = Centerville, Massachusetts, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| other_names =
| known_for = {{ubl|You series:|You novel (2014)|Hidden Bodies (2016)|You TV series (2018–2025)|You Love Me (2021)|For You and Only You (2023)|Other novels:|Providence (2018)}}
| alma_mater = Brown University
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Writer
- screenwriter
- entertainment reporter
}}
| website = {{URL|carolinekepnes.com}}
}}
Caroline Kepnes (born November 10, 1976) is an American writer, screenwriter, author, and former entertainment reporter. She is best known for her novel series You, consisting of You (2014), Hidden Bodies (2016), You Love Me (2021), and For You and Only You (2023), writing for the 2018–2025 Lifetime/Netflix television series adaptation of the same name, and the stand-alone novel Providence (2018).
Career
Kepnes was born November 1976 on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Her father was Jewish and Kepnes identifies as "half-Jewish."{{cite web|url=https://thejewishnews.com/2019/02/09/celeb-jews-on-the-small-screen-at-the-movies-and-on-netflix/ |title=Celeb Jews: On the Small Screen, At the Movies, and On Netflix |date=9 February 2019 |publisher=The Jewish News |access-date=2020-01-25}}{{cite web|url=https://forward.com/schmooze/410050/lonely-boy-meets-gone-girl-penn-badgley-stars-in-tv-thriller-you/ |title=Lonely Boy meets Gone Girl: Penn Badgley Stars in TV Thriller 'You' |date=12 September 2018 |publisher=The Forward |access-date=2020-01-25}} During her formative years, she attended Barnstable High School. After graduation, she commenced her studies at Brown University.{{cite web|url=https://www.wpri.com/news/woman-behind-hit-tv-show-you-is-brown-university-alum/amp/|title=Woman behind hit TV show 'You' is Brown University alum|last=Kalunian|first=Kim|work=WPRI|date=February 15, 2019|access-date=December 31, 2019}} Later, she obtained an undergraduate degree in American Civilization and worked as an entertainment reporter for Entertainment Weekly.{{cite web|url=https://www.capecodtimes.com/article/20141228/ENTERTAINMENTLIFE/141229508|title=Centerville native's debut hits the mark with twisted tale of passion|last=Higgins|first=Laurie|publisher=Cape Cod Times|date=December 28, 2014|access-date=January 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123224147/https://www.capecodtimes.com/article/20141228/ENTERTAINMENTLIFE/141229508|archive-date=January 23, 2019|url-status=live}}
In an interview with the Boston Globe Kepnes said her first paid writing gig was an article on boy bands, for Tiger Beat magazine. In addition to her work as a writer, she performed as a background character in the television series The $treet.
In 2014 Kepnes released her first novel of the thriller series, You.{{cite web |url=https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/526084/You-by-Caroline-Kepnes-review |title=You by Caroline Kepnes is a teasing tale that keeps you hanging by your fingertips |first=Jennifer |last=Selway |publisher=Daily Express |date=October 22, 2014 |access-date=January 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123223803/https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/526084/You-by-Caroline-Kepnes-review |archive-date=January 23, 2019 |url-status=dead }} Kepnes explained the darkness of You, which deconstructs the romantic-comedy tropes highlighted in many films and shows by making the protagonist a violent stalker and serial killer, saying it was written in a dark period of her life, the year her father died of cancer, and in which she experienced several other personal challenges. Later, Kepnes was initially hesitant on labeling Joe, as a few readers argued that his actions classified him as a serial killer. The author then clarified her position on the matter, citing that "I remember when I wrote You and someone first referred to Joe as a serial killer. I argued 'he’s not a serial killer, he meets these terrible people and has these awful thoughts, but he’s very sensitive'. It’s very strange to realise you have written a serial killer."
In February 2015, it was announced that Greg Berlanti and Sera Gamble would develop a television series based on the novel at Showtime.{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2015/02/greg-berlanti-sera-gamble-you-psychological-thriller-showtime-1201370578/|title=Greg Berlanti & Sera Gamble Developing Psychological Thriller You At Showtime|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=February 11, 2015|work=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=January 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427182015/https://deadline.com/2015/02/greg-berlanti-sera-gamble-you-psychological-thriller-showtime-1201370578/|archive-date=April 27, 2019|url-status=live}} Two years later, it was announced that the series was purchased by Lifetime and put on fast-track development.{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2017/01/lifetime-thriller-drama-greg-berlanti-sera-gamble-mary-kills-people-premiere-date-tca-1201885418/|title=Lifetime Buys Drama From Greg Berlanti & Sera Gamble, Sets Premiere Date For Euthanasia Series Mary Kills People: TCA|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=January 13, 2017|work=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=January 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612164658/https://deadline.com/2017/01/lifetime-thriller-drama-greg-berlanti-sera-gamble-mary-kills-people-premiere-date-tca-1201885418/|archive-date=June 12, 2018|url-status=live}} You premiered on September 9, 2018.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/03/15/lifetime-you-premiere-date/|title=Lifetime announces fall premiere date for You starring Penn Badgley|first=Samantha|last=Highfill|date=March 15, 2018|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=January 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404101317/https://ew.com/tv/2018/03/15/lifetime-you-premiere-date/|archive-date=April 4, 2019|url-status=live}} On July 26, 2018, ahead of the series premiere, Lifetime announced that the series had been renewed for a second season.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/you-renewed-lifetime-season-2-penn-badgley-series-1202434119/|title=Lifetime's You Officially Renewed For Season 2 Ahead Of Series Premiere – TCA|last=Hipes|first=Patrick|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=July 26, 2018|access-date=January 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190118152231/https://deadline.com/2018/07/you-renewed-lifetime-season-2-penn-badgley-series-1202434119/|archive-date=January 18, 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/09/05/lifetime-you-preview-penn-badgley/|title=Penn Badgley and Sera Gamble's You puts a twist on the modern-day love story|first=Samantha|last=Highfill|date=September 5, 2018|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=January 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204021418/https://ew.com/tv/2018/09/05/lifetime-you-preview-penn-badgley/|archive-date=February 4, 2019|url-status=live}} On December 3, 2018, it was confirmed that Lifetime had passed on a second season and that Netflix had picked up the series.{{cite news|url=https://www.thewrap.com/you-moves-netflix-season-2-lifetime/|title='You' Moves From Lifetime to Netflix for Season 2|first=Jennifer|last=Maas|work=The Wrap|date=December 3, 2018|access-date=January 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229220459/https://www.thewrap.com/you-moves-netflix-season-2-lifetime/|archive-date=December 29, 2018|url-status=live}} The second season was released exclusively on Netflix on December 26, 2019.{{cite web|url= https://deadline.com/2019/11/you-season-2-premiere-date-penn-badgley-netflix-1202782904/|title='You' Season 2 Premiere Date Set As Penn Badgley Stalker Drama Moves To Netflix|work=Deadline Hollywood|first=Erik|last=Pedersen|date=November 11, 2019|accessdate=November 15, 2019}} On January 14, 2020, You was renewed for a third season by Netflix.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/you-renewed-season-3-netflix-1203466329/|title='You' Renewed for Season 3 at Netflix|last=Otterson|first=Joe|work=Variety|date=January 14, 2020|access-date=January 14, 2020}} The third season was released on October 15, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/you-season-3-premiere-netflix-1235051198/|title='You' Season 3 to Premiere in October on Netflix|last=Hailu|first=Selome|work=Variety|date=August 30, 2021|access-date=August 30, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2020/01/14/you-renewed-season-3-netflix-cast-returning/|title=YOU Renewed for Season 3 — Find Out Which Characters Are Returning in 2021|last=Swift|first=Andy|work=TVLine|date=January 14, 2020|access-date=January 14, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/you-renewed-season-3-netflix-penn-badgley-1202829605/|title='You' Renewed For Season 3 By Netflix|last2=Petski|first2=Denise|last1=Andreeva|first1=Nellie|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=January 14, 2020|access-date=January 14, 2020}} In October 2021, ahead of the third season premiere, the series was renewed for a fourth season.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/you-renewed-season-4-netflix-1234855244/|title='You' Renewed For Season 4 By Netflix|work=Deadline Hollywood|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=October 13, 2021|access-date=October 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013182819/https://deadline.com/2021/10/you-renewed-season-4-netflix-1234855244/|archive-date=October 13, 2021|url-status=live}}
In 2016, Kepnes published a sequel to You, Hidden Bodies. It was loosely adapted in the second season of the Netflix thriller series, You.{{cite web|url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a25880380/you-season-2-netflix-spoilers-release-date-casting-rumors/|title=Everything You Need to Know About You Season 2|last=Mackelden|first=Amy|publisher=Bazaar|date=January 13, 2019|access-date=January 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128030249/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a25880380/you-season-2-netflix-spoilers-release-date-casting-rumors/|archive-date=January 28, 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://popculture.com/streaming/2019/08/18/netflix-you-showrunner-reveals-season-2-will-be-darker/|title=Netflix's 'You' Showrunner Reveals Season 2 Will Be 'Darker'|last=Hein|first=Michael|work=Popculture|date=August 18, 2019|access-date=September 3, 2019}} For Hidden Bodies, Kepnes had thoughts for a potential direction before its conception, stating “ Before I was even finished with the first book I knew what my second one was going to be. I wanted to trap Joe somewhere. "{{cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/you-season-2-netflix-caroline-kepnes-author-hidden-bodies-interview-636901|title=You author Caroline Kepnes: 'It's very strange to realise you have written a serial killer'|last=Baker|first=Emily|work=inews|date=September 24, 2019|access-date=September 25, 2019}}
Her third novel, Providence, published in 2018, has been described as romance-suspense-thriller, with supernatural aspects. Alison Flood, in a review published by The Guardian, wrote "Providence is compelling, and Kepnes provides a sometimes piercing insight into the small, strange, sad details that make up a life, though without quite achieving the deep, dark pleasures of You." According to Cheryl Wassenaar, in a review in Cultures magazine, the novel is "a bit like Dexter meets, well, H.P. Lovecraft." In January 2021, it was announced that Greg Berlanti and Sera Gamble would reunite to develop a television series based on the novel for Peacock.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/01/you-creators-adapt-caroline-kepnes-providence-peacock-1234674367/|title='You' Creators Reunite To Adapt Caroline Kepnes' 'Providence' At Peacock|last=White|first=Peter|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=January 15, 2021|access-date=February 9, 2021}}
The third novel and the sequel to Hidden Bodies, titled You Love Me was released on April 6, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/02/books/review/crime-fiction-caroline-kepnes-you-love-me.html|title=He's a Murderer, a Stalker, a Creep — and an Entertaining Narrator|last=Weinman|first=Sarah|work=The New York Times|date=April 2, 2021|access-date=April 5, 2021}} Kepnes published the fourth novel for the You series,{{cite web|url=http://barbmagazine.com/2018/07/11/entre-nous-caroline-kepnes/|title=Entre Nous: Caroline Kepnes|last=Karp|first=Marcelle|publisher=Barb Magazine|access-date=January 23, 2019|date=July 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123223550/http://barbmagazine.com/2018/07/11/entre-nous-caroline-kepnes/|archive-date=January 23, 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/books/2019/05/10/you-book-series-expanding/|title='You' book series expanding with two more novels from author Caroline Kepnes|last=Kinane|first=Ruth|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=May 10, 2019|access-date=May 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510221816/https://ew.com/books/2019/05/10/you-book-series-expanding/|archive-date=May 10, 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/meet-the-author-you-and-hidden-bodies-writer-caroline-kepnes/|title=Meet the author: You and Hidden Bodies writer Caroline Kepnes|last=McDonald|first=Sally|work=SundayPost|date=August 23, 2019|access-date=August 24, 2019}} titled For You and Only You: A Joe Goldberg Novel released on April 25th, 2023.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-12 |title=You author whose books inspired Netflix hit teases new Joe Goldberg novel |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/you-author-novel-netflix-joe-goldberg-b2223643.html |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=The Independent |language=en}}
Bibliography
=''You'' series=
- You (2014)
- Hidden Bodies (2016)
- You Love Me (2021)
- For You and Only You (2023)
=Stand-alone works=
- Stephen Crane (2004)
- Providence: A Novel (2018)
Other works
=Television=
- You (2018–2025, writer)
- 1.08 – "You Got Me, Babe" (written by) (October 28, 2018)
- The Secret Life of the American Teenager (staff writer - 3 episodes, 2008 - 2009)
- Born Free (written by) July 20, 2009
- Money for Nothing, Chicks for Free (written by) February 23, 2009
- Just Say No (written by) September 9, 2008
- 7th Heaven (staff writer - 2 episodes, 2006–2007)
- Script Number Two Hundred Thirty-Four (written by) January 21, 2007
- Turn, Turn, Turn (written by) September 25, 2006
References
{{Reflist|refs=
{{cite news|url=https://www.golocalprov.com/live/author-kepnes-discusses-her-new-book-providence-on-live|title=Author Kepnes Discusses Her New Book, "Providence" on LIVE|work=Go Local Providence|date=2018-07-07|location=Providence, RI|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123071738/https://www.golocalprov.com/live/author-kepnes-discusses-her-new-book-providence-on-live|archive-date=2019-01-23|access-date=2019-01-22|url-status=live|quote=The Brown University grad has had a diverse career -- she has worked as a pop culture journalist for Entertainment Weekly and a TV writer on the show 7th Heaven.}}
{{cite news|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/2018/08/30/shiny-happy-people-give-author-caroline-kepnes-creeps/EYabuQjJfgT2k6bdyJqXXP/story.html|title=Shiny happy people give author Caroline Kepnes the creeps|work=Boston Globe|author=Meredith Goldstein|date=2018-08-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831021008/https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/2018/08/30/shiny-happy-people-give-author-caroline-kepnes-creeps/EYabuQjJfgT2k6bdyJqXXP/story.html|archive-date=2018-08-31|access-date=2019-01-22|url-status=live|quote=The book was a hit and wound up being printed in 19 languages. Stephen King tweeted that {{'}}YOU{{'}} was {{'}}hypnotic and scary. A little Ira Levin, a little Patricia Highsmith, and plenty of serious snark. Cool stuff.{{'}}}}
{{cite news|url=https://www.capecodtimes.com/lifestyle/20180624/cape-native-caroline-kepnes-novels-explore-how-bad-guys-get-that-way|title=Cape native Caroline Kepnes' novels explore how bad guys get that way|work=Cape Cod Times|author=Gwenn Friss|date=2018-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123121706/https://www.capecodtimes.com/lifestyle/20180624/cape-native-caroline-kepnes-novels-explore-how-bad-guys-get-that-way|archive-date=2019-01-23|access-date=2019-01-22|url-status=live|quote=Back in 1991, Barnstable High student Caroline Kepnes tagged along to the Concord movie set of “School Ties” where her older brother, Alex, was an extra.}}
{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/nov/06/best-recent-thrillers-roundup-elly-griffith-the-stranger-diaries-caroline-kepnes-providence|title=The best recent thrillers – review roundup|work=The Guardian|author=Alison Flood|date=2018-11-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123121318/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/nov/06/best-recent-thrillers-roundup-elly-griffith-the-stranger-diaries-caroline-kepnes-providence|archive-date=2019-01-23|access-date=2019-01-22|url-status=live|quote=In Providence (Simon & Schuster, £8.99), she takes on the story of a kidnapping and its aftermath.}}
{{cite news|url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2018/10/212760/you-book-caroline-kepnes-joe-character-inspiration|title=How Caroline Kepnes Created You{{'}}s Joe Goldberg, The Man Of Your Dreams & Nightmares|work=Refinery 29|author=Elena Nicolaou|date=2018-10-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123071525/https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2018/10/212760/you-book-caroline-kepnes-joe-character-inspiration|archive-date=2019-01-23|access-date=2019-01-22|url-status=live|quote=Exactly. Now we’re living in this world where we have the unreliable narrator that is social media. We’re making ourselves crazy. We’re all reading this book. Everyone has a different version of it, but everyone has this book that never stops. There’s no mandatory day of the week where Twitter closes down and Facebook isn’t available. It’s on you to choose your relationship to it, which is more work. The burden of it all is fascinating to me. We won’t understand it until 50 years from now. This whole responsibility that didn’t exist before.}}
{{cite news|url=https://www.bustle.com/p/providence-by-caroline-kepnes-combines-romance-horror-mystery-for-the-ultimate-summer-read-9486586|title={{'}}Providence{{'}} By Caroline Kepnes Combines Romance, Horror, And Mystery For The Ultimate Summer Read|work=Bustle|author=Sadie Trombetta|date=2018-06-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619204545/https://www.bustle.com/p/providence-by-caroline-kepnes-combines-romance-horror-mystery-for-the-ultimate-summer-read-9486586|archive-date=2018-06-19|access-date=2019-01-22|url-status=live|quote=A beautifully crafted narrative that deftly combines a sweet coming-of-age love story with elements of Lovecraftian horror and supernatural suspense, Providence is Kepnes at her best. A rich novel brimming with as much heartfelt emotion as genuine thrills, it will keep readers flipping the pages at a rapid pace, searching for answers to their own questions about love, truth, connection, and what it means to be human.}}
{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/21/business/media/netflix-you-ratings.html|title=What Made the TV Show {{‘}}You{{’}} a Hit? Netflix|work=The New York Times|author=John Koblin|date=2019-01-21|page=B1|access-date=2019-01-22|quote=Mr. Berlanti began developing “You” almost four years ago with the producer Sera Gamble. Showtime originally planned to make the series, which is based on a novel by Caroline Kepnes, before passing on it. It then went to Lifetime, which over the summer committed to making a second season.}}
{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/07/arts/you-lifetime-sera-gamble-caroline-kepnes.html|title=The Women Behind 'You' on Creating This Fall's Darkest, and Most Timely, Romance|work=The New York Times|author=Judy Berman|date=2018-09-07|page=C4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123071455/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/07/arts/you-lifetime-sera-gamble-caroline-kepnes.html|archive-date=2019-01-23|access-date=2019-01-22|url-status=live|quote=Ms. Kepnes, who has written for the series “7th Heaven” and “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” wrote a late-season episode. She and Ms. Gamble both drew from their personal histories as young, female aspiring writers to flesh out Beck, and they agreed that “You” is really her story.}}
{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jMhSDQAAQBAJ&q=%22Caroline+Kepnes%22|title=Hidden Bodies: A Novel|author-link=Caroline Kepnes|last=Kepnes|first=Caroline|publisher=Simon and Schuster|year=2016|isbn=9781476785639|access-date=2019-01-22|quote=}}
{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iYckDwAAQBAJ&q=%22Caroline+Kepnes%22|title=Providence: A Novel|author-link=Caroline Kepnes|last=Kepnes|first=Caroline|publisher=Random House Publishing Group|year=2018|isbn=9780399591440|quote=}}
}}
External links
- {{Official website}}
{{You franchise}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kepnes, Caroline}}
Category:American people of Jewish descent
Category:American women novelists
Category:American women screenwriters
Category:American television writers
Category:American women television writers
Category:21st-century American novelists
Category:21st-century American women writers
Category:People from Barnstable, Massachusetts
Category:Novelists from Massachusetts
Category:Screenwriters from Massachusetts