East Sussex author calls Golden Globes moment dream like after TV adaptation success

An author from East Sussex has described her upcoming appearance at the Golden Globe Awards as surreal after the television adaptation of her debut novel received major nominations.

Michelle Frances, best known for her psychological thriller The Girlfriend, has travelled to Los Angeles ahead of the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, where she will attend the ceremony following the recognition of the screen version of her book. Frances said the experience carried a dream like quality, adding that it was difficult to fully process how quickly her story had travelled from the page to one of the world’s most high profile awards stages.

The Girlfriend was Frances’ first novel and became a bestseller after its release, attracting international attention for its tense exploration of relationships, trust and manipulation. Its success led to a television adaptation that has now gained critical recognition, placing the author among a small group of British writers whose debut work has made such a rapid leap to global television acclaim.

Speaking before the ceremony, Frances said she was still adjusting to the scale of the moment. She described moving between everyday life in East Sussex and the glamour of Hollywood as disorienting but exciting, and said she felt proud to see her characters and themes resonate with audiences far beyond the UK.

The Golden Globe nominations mark a significant milestone in Frances’ career. While authors often hope for film or television adaptations, few see their work reach major awards recognition so early. Industry observers say the nominations reflect the growing appetite for book based dramas, particularly thrillers with strong emotional and psychological depth.

Frances has previously spoken about writing The Girlfriend while balancing family life, never imagining it would lead to international success. She said the adaptation process had been a learning experience, requiring trust in screenwriters and producers to reinterpret her story for a different medium while preserving its core tension.

The awards ceremony itself is one of Hollywood’s most watched events, celebrating achievements in film and television. For Frances, attending is less about the outcome and more about the opportunity to witness how her work has been embraced within a wider creative community.

She said the moment felt especially meaningful given that The Girlfriend was her debut novel, written without expectations beyond finishing the story. Seeing it recognised at such a level, she added, reinforced the idea that unexpected opportunities can emerge from taking creative risks.

As she prepares to walk into the ceremony, Frances said she remains grounded by her roots in East Sussex, viewing the experience as something to appreciate rather than take for granted. Whether or not the adaptation wins on the night, she said the nomination alone feels like a validation of years of hard work.