Serial to Parrael for 16x2 LCD

Alternately, you could do it yourself. You could run the lcd in 4 bit mode and use a 74H595 serial to parallel converter, and just use the D4-D7, Enable and Register Select pins. You will then have two extra outputs on the '595 to use for turning the backlight on/off, a relay, or something else.

Or if you want to use I2C, use a PCF8574, I2C to parallel converter.

Regards David

Have a look at

Quite a few free designs on the net.

look for serial lcd backpack

Any preference for using a particular micro ?

Pretty easy with a pic , avr or any other micro with enough io.

jtag connections here

a cheap commerical one