Netflix to Adapt Three Dee Lestari Novels into Original Series

KBRN, Jakarta: Netflix has announced that three novels by celebrated Indonesian author Dee Lestari will be adapted into an original series.

The announcement was made through Netflix Indonesia’s social media platforms and at the 2025 Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF) on Tuesday, December 2, 2025.

The selected titles are Perahu Kertas, Aroma Karsa, and Rapijali. Each will be produced as a Netflix original series in collaboration with different production studios.

Rapijali is being developed with Starvision, Perahu Kertas with Visinema, and Aroma Karsa as a co-production between Screenplay Films and Forka Films.

Dee Lestari said these three works were the most suitable for dramatic serialization. “Because there is a winding journey of character development that requires a large space to present it,” she told the media.

The Aroma Karsa series will be directed by Kamila Andini, known for her critically acclaimed films Sekala Niskala, Yuni, and Gadis Kretek.

The Rapijali project will be directed by Sabrina Rochelle Kalangie, who has also written several popular films, including Terlalu Tampan, Nokta Merah Perkawinan, and Home Sweet Loan.

Production for Rapijali has officially begun and is currently in production, while Perahu Kertas and Aroma Karsa remain in the creative development phase.

This collaboration marks a significant step in bringing Indonesian literary works to a global platform. The three series are expected to introduce Dee Lestari’s stories to a wider international audience through visual media. (Annaila Azzahra/Lasti Martina)