Netflix & AMC Studios Forge Co-Production Agreement With Shane Black’s ‘Bannerman’ As First Series

Netflix, the global streaming giant, has taken a significant step into the world of co-production by partnering with AMC Studios to develop and produce original series. This unprecedented agreement marks a new chapter in the company’s history, as it seeks to collaborate with traditional studios to create engaging and high-quality content for its audience. The first series to emerge from this partnership is the drama ‘Bannerman’, which promises to deliver a thrilling and action-packed ride for viewers.

The ‘Bannerman’ series is based on John R. Maxim’s books and follows the story of Paul Bannerman, a lethal covert operative who convinces a group of the world’s most deadly assassins to quit the spy game and lead normal lives in the suburbs of Connecticut. However, their retirement is short-lived, as they soon find themselves embroiled in a complex web of espionage and deception. With its rich storyline and complex characters, ‘Bannerman’ is set to captivate audiences worldwide.

The creative team behind ‘Bannerman’ is a talented and experienced group of professionals, including Shane Black, who is making his directorial debut in television. Black, who is known for his work on films like ‘Lethal Weapon’, has co-written the first episode of the series and will executive produce and direct the first two episodes. Craig Silverstein, who has previously worked on shows like ‘Turn: Washington Spies’, will showrun, write, and executive produce the series.

Greg Nicotero and Brian Witten will also executive produce the series, bringing their expertise and experience to the project. Nicotero, who has worked on shows like ‘The Walking Dead’, has a long-standing relationship with AMC Studios, and Witten has previously worked on projects like ‘Creepshow’. The team’s collective experience and passion for storytelling make them the perfect fit to bring ‘Bannerman’ to life.

The co-production agreement between Netflix and AMC Studios marks a significant milestone in the company’s history. This partnership allows Netflix to collaborate with traditional studios, creating new opportunities for growth and development. It also expands AMC’s relationship with Netflix, which dates back to the network’s ‘Breaking Bad’ becoming Netflix’s first hit. The deal also provides a lifeline for AMC, a largely linear brand that needs to think outside the box to survive in the streaming era.

The partnership between Netflix and AMC Studios has been in the works for several months, with the two companies developing a slate of shows to be produced under the agreement. ‘Bannerman’ is the first series to emerge from this partnership, and it promises to deliver a thrilling and action-packed ride for viewers. With its talented creative team and engaging storyline, ‘Bannerman’ is set to captivate audiences worldwide.

AMC Studios announced in January 2023 that it had acquired the rights to the ‘Bannerman’ books to develop for TV with Black and Nicotero attached to executive produce. The company also announced that it had opened a writers’ room for the project in 2026. Silverstein was involved in ‘Bannerman’ early on, but left to executive produce ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’. He returned to the project when it started gaining traction at Netflix.

‘Bannerman’ centers on the eponymous Paul Bannerman, a lethal covert operative who convinces a group of the world’s most deadly assassins to quit the spy game for a chance to lead normal lives in the suburbs of Connecticut. Old enemies, bad habits, a paranoid government, and an unrelenting ex-cop will make retirement their most difficult mission yet. Maxim’s series spans five books, each offering a unique and thrilling storyline that promises to captivate audiences worldwide.

According to Dan McDermott, chief content officer of AMC Global Media and president of AMC Studios, ‘Bannerman’ is a ‘smart, high-octane thrill ride of a series, powered by an extraordinary creative team’. He added that the series is the perfect premium drama to kick off the company’s first co-production with Netflix, and that they are thrilled to continue evolving and expanding their partnership by jointly developing and producing select original series for their respective platforms.

The co-production agreement between Netflix and AMC Studios has been hailed as a game-changer in the world of television production. With its focus on collaboration and innovation, this partnership promises to deliver high-quality content that will captivate audiences worldwide. As the television landscape continues to evolve, this partnership is set to play a significant role in shaping the future of the industry.