Alisa Kennedy Jones – författare

Ellery Allbright Goes Dark is a refreshingly irreverent and deeply moving midlife rom-com that captures the messy, unpredictable beauty of reinvention. New York talk show host Ellery Allbright - once celebrated as a high-octane perfectionist with effortless charm and commanding presence - sees her life shatter when a sudden, ecstatic epileptic seizure on live television leaves her with 21 broken facial fractures. Wired shut to heal, unable to talk, she is forced to confront not only the physical aftermath but also the seismic shifts in her personal and professional life. As Ellery grapples with the fallout of her viral on-air disaster - where millions watch her pain and recovery unfold - the network demands that she undergo a rigorous rehabilitation before returning to the show. Enter Dr. Augustus Wolfe, a stuffed-shirt, Harvard-trained neurologist from Maine with cheekbones you could land a plane on. Tasked with her care, Augustus becomes an inescapable part of her recovery, though their relationship is marked by relentless friction. The pair butt heads at every turn, their clashing personalities fuelling a tension that is as volatile as it is magnetic. Amid the chaos of ghosted lovers, unsympathetic bosses, the turbulent dynamics with her teenage children - and the surreal guidance of her unlikely spirit guide, George Michael - Ellery embarks on a journey of rediscovery. Her path is as unpredictable as the seizures that now punctuate her life, each moment oscillating between absurd humour and gut-wrenching vulnerability. While Augustus's stern, methodical approach collides with Ellery's fiercely independent spirit, their continual conflict slowly gives way to grudging respect and an unexpected, transformative connection. From bizarre public mishaps that turn personal pain into viral spectacle to moments of raw, unvarnished self-reflection, Ellery learns to find strength in her scars and humour in her hardships. Ultimately, her journey culminates in a rallying cry for anyone sidelined by life's chaos. In the spirit of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine and Fleabag, Ellery Allbright Goes Dark is not merely a story of surviving midlife - it is a triumphant declaration of resilience, reinvention, and love.