Exclusive Interview
Will There Be a ‘Pucking Around’ Adaptation? Author Emily Rath Weighs In
With steamy series like Off Campus and Twisted Love making their way to the small screen, fans of Emily Rath‘s viral Jacksonville Rays series have long awaited an adaptation announcement.
The Jacksonville Rays series begins with Pucking Around, a polyamorous hockey romance in which the Rays’ new physical therapy fellow, Rachel, falls for two of the team’s hockey players, Jake and Ilmari, as well as the team’s equipment manager, Caleb. Instead of picking just one of her potential suitors to *ahem* puck, Rachel enters a relationship with all of them, deciding to explore their blossoming four-person relationship while hoping not to cause a PR nightmare.
Following the release of the fourth novel in the series, Pucking Strong, Emily Rath spoke with Swooon to talk all things Jacksonville Rays, including whether there are any discussions about bringing Pucking Around to the screen.
“There have been several discussions over the past couple of years,” Rath told Swooon. “One of the big issues that has been central [to the discussion] is the fact that, especially with Book 1, the fact that it’s a polyamorous romance.” Given that media rarely represent love stories featuring more than two people in a relationship, it’s clear why this may be an issue for production companies.
According to Rath, potential adaptations have been scrapped because the stories did not include her polyamorous relationship. “I’ve had conversations with people where they’re wanting to do things like make Rachel date a different guy each season, and then she’ll pick one in the end.”
Clearly, the author did not take well to the central relationship being replaced with smaller monogamous ones. “I’m just like, I would rather walk into the ocean than let you rip out the literal heart and soul of the book, which is that it is a polyamorous four-person family unit. Like, what do you even mean?”
As Rath put it, the real question is: “Is the media really ready to adapt something like this?” Answering her own question, Rath concluded, “We’re not to that point yet.” She added, “I can say I have not signed any deals yet. It doesn’t mean people haven’t been around, and they haven’t been asking.”
When it comes down to it, Rath made it clear, “I would rather have no movie, right? I’d rather have no TV show than have a TV show that would disrespect the heart of the characters. So it’s been a waiting game. If it never happens, it never happens.” That being said, the author is “open to hearing people interested, for sure.”
She continued, “They have to be ready to meet me where I’m at, which is, this is a polyamorous romance. We’re starting there.”
Do you want to see a Pucking Around adaptation in all its polyamorous glory? Comment below!
