Find out 'The Last Thing He Told Me'

Apr. 12—Laura Dave put her heart and soul into the novel, "The Last Thing He Told Me."

When it was released in May 2021, the book caught the attention of many and it took her by surprise.

Flash forward a few years, Dave and her husband, Josh Singer, co-created and executive produced the Apple TV+ series of the same name. The series premieres on Friday, April 14.

"It's been really joyful," Dave says. "Everyone who was involved has added colors and textures to it. I'm just blown away. (The series) feels like it is its own thing. Josh and I were chatting earlier about what remains in something versus what you let you of. The series expands Hannah's story."

The series follows Hannah, played by Jennifer Garner, a woman who must forge a relationship with her 16-year-old stepdaughter Bailey, played by Angourie Rice, in order to find the truth about why her husband has mysteriously disappeared.

Aisha Tyler and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau co-star in the series. Garner also serves as executive producer alongside Hello Sunshine's Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter.

Singer says one of the things that was great about the book is that the mystery is clear.

He says because it was so intricate and well-plotted, there wasn't a lot of work to do there.

"The book gave us this great backbone," Singer says. "For us, it was how can we enhance and embellish the character. We worked to raise the stakes and add some breadth and depth to what Laura already does. We expanded on Hannah's grandfather's story. You get to see a little bit of that story. Jennifer does such a great job. In episode four, instead of Hannah telling us what's going on, Jennifer just gives this wonderful look and you just get it."

Dave is looking forward to hearing the response from the series. She and Singer wrote it a specific way.

"It's about found families," Dave says. "The experience of this is from the book I loved. But the volume is turned up in a variety of ways. There's more emotion, more propulsion, and it's a ride. I hope that readers that loved the book will go on this journey. And those that didn't read the book will find Hannah's world interesting. We think of the show as a call and answer."

Now streaming

The Apple TV+ series, "The Last Thing He Told Me," premieres on Friday, April 14, on Apple TV+