Amazon Studios attended the bi-annual Television Critics Association panel yesterday and presented a slew of news about their new and upcoming series.
The streaming service announced that it was partnering with the Russo Brothers’ AGBO Studios (the brothers behind the recent Marvel Avengers films) on a large-scale international event series. “The Russo Brothers have impacted the pop culture barometer of creative excellence with their vision for both Avengers: Infinity War and Captain America: Civil War,” said Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios. “They brought a level of scale and execution to those films that has raised the bar for audiences everywhere and we can’t wait for them to do the same for us on this project for our Amazon Prime Customer. We are thrilled to be working with Joe and Anthony Russo and their AGBO Studios as they build this incredible, multifaceted, international franchise.” There’s no real details on the series at this time, but we do know the original series will serve as the starting point for multiple original local production series around the world.
In addition, Amazon announced that JD Payne and Patrick McKay (STAR TREK 4) have been hired to develop and write the company’s high-profile and expensive LORD OF THE RINGS series. “The rich world that J.R.R. Tolkien created is filled with majesty and heart, wisdom and complexity,” Payne & McKay said. “We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with Amazon to bring it to life anew. We feel like Frodo, setting out from the Shire, with a great responsibility in our care — it is the beginning of the adventure of a lifetime.”
The studio also announced the premiere date for THE ROMANOFFS, which marks Matthew Weiner’s first series since the end of MAD MEN. The show is a contemporary anthology series that takes place across the world and focuses on 8 separate stories about people who believe they are descendants of the Russian royal family. It will premiere on October 12 on Amazon Prime and has a stellar, extensive cast, as you can see from the teaser video below.
SNEAKY PETE, the Amazon show starring Giovanni Ribisi, was also picked up for a third season. Blake Masters will be taking on the duties of showrunner for the new season.
Amazon also announced the ordering of a few new shows, including UPLOAD, a half-hour sci-fi romantic satire led by Greg Daniels (PARKS AND REC). Starring Andy Allo and Robbie Amell, the 10 episode series will premiere globally on Amazon Prime.
Meanwhile, THEM, a new series from Lena Waithe (DEAR WHITE PEOPLE) and Little Marvin, was given a two-season order from the streaming service. It will be presented as an anthology series, with the first season titled THEM: COVENANT and set in 1953. The show centers around a couple that move to an all-white neighborhood in Los Angeles where forces both real and supernatural try to destroy them.
Finally, Amazon also picked up THE EXPATRIATES (based on the book of the same name), a new series from Nicole Kidman’s production company. “After announcing our recent first look deal with Nicole and Blossom Films, we are thrilled to kick off this relationship by bringing this very popular novel from author Janice Y.K. Lee to Prime Video,” said Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios. “The story weaves an addictive tapestry that follows a group of complex women and their lives as outsiders in Hong Kong. It’s a compelling exploration of the strength of these women as they persevere through struggles with marriage, career, parenting and unimaginable loss.”