Malcolm D. Lee, the visionary behind the iconic The Best Man film and TV franchise, is taking his storytelling talents from screen to page. In partnership with bestselling author Jayne Allen, Lee will release his first novel, The Best Man: Unfinished Business, on July 1, 2025 under Storehouse Voices, an imprint of Crown Publishing Group.
The book marks the beginning of a three-part original paperback series that continues the legacy of the franchise beyond Peacock’s The Best Man: The Final Chapters. Fans can expect deeper dives into the personal journeys of Harper, Jordan, Robyn, and the rest of the beloved crew as they navigate midlife reinventions, complex relationships, and fresh starts.
“Writing this debut novel series around my most beloved cinematic characters has been an incredible journey—unlike anything I’ve done before,” Lee said. “This series offers a deeper dive into their inner worlds, allowing their next chapters to unfold in a way only a novel can.”
The novel picks up after The Final Chapters, which wrapped in 2022 and catapulted Peacock into the Nielsen Top 10 for the first time. With Harper (Taye Diggs), Jordan (Nia Long), Robyn (Sanaa Lathan), and the gang stepping into new phases of life, Unfinished Business promises fans more drama, depth, and emotional nuance than ever before.
Jayne Allen, known for her Black Girls Must Die Exhausted series, brings her sharp and soulful storytelling to the table, making this project a dynamic collaboration.
The Best Man: Unfinished Business is available for pre-order now and will be followed by two more books in 2026. Whether you’ve followed the crew since the original 1999 film or joined during The Final Chapters, this new literary journey offers something for everyone.
A new era for The Best Man begins July 1, 2025.
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