ABC, Mila Kunis tap Buffalo Grove novelist's 'Black Stiletto' for series

ABC Studios will be developing a television series based on the “Black Stiletto” novels written by Buffalo Grove resident Raymond Benson.

The series will be produced through actress Mila Kunis' Orchard Farms Productions with Kunis serving as the executive producer on the project.

“I was taken completely taken by surprise by the announcement,” Benson said Thursday. “But there it is!”

“Black Stiletto” tells the story of a man who, while caring for his Alzheimer's stricken mother, discovers she was the legendary Black Stiletto, a mythic vigilante who fought crime during the 1950s and 1960s before mysteriously dropping out of sight.

Benson wrote the first book in 2011. Four more books followed.

“Back around 2009, my agent suggested I write something that women would like because women buy the most books,” Benson said. “Super hero movies were becoming popular then, so I thought that wasn't a bad idea to put the two together.”

He merged the crime-fighting heroine with the Alzheimer's story, based on his experience with his mother-in-law, who died of the disease.

Benson, 60, has written six authorized James Bond novels, three 007 novelizations, plus teaches film classes as an adjunct instructor at the College of DuPage.

For nine years, Benson has partnered with Daily Herald film critic Dann Gire to present the Northwest suburban library lecture series “Dann & Raymond's Movie Club.”

“Black Stiletto” marks his first literary work to be put in development by a network.

“There are still a lot of hurdles to jump before this becomes an actual series,” Benson said. “Only a tiny number of projects actually make in to production. This is the first big step after a lot of baby steps. I'm very thrilled.”

Go to www.theblackstiletto.net for more information.