Universal TV Acquired Rebel Blue Ranch Rights

The studio secured adaptation rights for the book series in 2024 to begin developing a television project.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Television

A wide view of a modern professional office with designer lighting and a bright city skyline through a large glass window. — Universal TV has acquired the adaptation rights for the Rebel Blue Ranch book series, marking a new step in the studio's development of independent literature for television platforms. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Universal TV moved to expand its content portfolio in 2024 by acquiring the adaptation rights for the Rebel Blue Ranch book series. Development is underway with a writer currently attached to the project.

Why it matters

The acquisition reflects a growing industry appetite for adapting popular independently published book series for television platforms. By securing these rights, the studio aims to build a new franchise rooted in the established fanbase of Lyla Sage.

Lyla Sage first gained attention for the series when she self-published Done and Dusted in 2023, followed by the publication of Soul Searching in 2025. Universal TV finalized the acquisition of these adaptation rights in 2024.

The players

Universal TV

This is a major television production studio responsible for developing and distributing scripted content for various networks and streaming platforms.

Lyla Sage

She is the author of the Rebel Blue Ranch series, which is known for its romantic narratives set in the fictional town of Sweetwater Peak.

The details

The television adaptation currently features a loose outline for the first season that focuses on a central love story while incorporating the broader ensemble of characters from the books. Casting for the series has not yet commenced.

Lyla Sage self-published the first book, Done and Dusted, in 2023.
Universal TV acquired the Rebel Blue Ranch adaptation rights in 2024.
The book Soul Searching was released in 2025.
The new book Free Falling is scheduled for release on September 22, 2026.

Industry Dynamics

Major studios are increasingly prioritizing the acquisition of successful self-published book series to hedge against the volatility of original scripts. This move positions Universal TV to capitalize on the loyal readership developed during the series initial release.

While the project is currently in development, fans can anticipate future announcements regarding casting and platform distribution. Readers should look for updates as the studio moves from the outlining stage into production.

The takeaway

The transition of self-published works into television highlights the evolving influence of independent authors on mainstream media portfolios. Keeping track of the release cycle for associated books like the upcoming Free Falling can offer readers insight into the series expansion.