Netflix: It’s one of the most-watched series of the past 12 months, and it could take on a whole new dimension

It was a surprise hit in 2023 that no one in their crystal ball saw. With its simple but effective political conspiracy plot and its brave protagonist (and Jack Bauer’s brain child), Night Agent literally won over the crowd. He even took sixth place Top 10 English language series Most popular on Netflix.

We are now learning through Deadline that its creator Sean Ryan has signed a massive four-year overall deal with the streamer. And after the success of Night Agent, studios fought for the screenwriter, but in the end Netflix won the day. The deal will take effect when the previous contract between Sean Ryan and Sony TV expires at the end of October.

More night agents?

Thanks to this new deal, it looks like Netflix has already given the green light to write a season 3. Produced by Sony TV, the series was ordered for a second season, which was quickly rushed after the strike to start production early. February with a view to launching at the end of the year.

It is quite common for Netflix to order scripts for a new season when the series is very popular before the final and official confirmation. So the writers have to get together to write Season 3 next month.

Sean Ryan’s deal will also make it easier for Netflix to turn The Night Agent into a franchise with potential spinoffs that have been rumored since the series debuted in March 2023. Netflix is ​​developing franchises for most of the series on this list, including Wednesday’s Uncle Foul spin-off Bridgerton, the Monster anthology that started with Dahmer, Stranger Things and The Witcher, and world-building is a major focus for top-tier talent on its in the contract list.

Franchise strategy

In a tough global contract market and a general contraction in the industry after the strike, studios and broadcasters prefer showrunners who can juggle multiple series.

That’s what Ryan has done for most of his career through his production company MiddKidd with Marni Hochman, who worked with him for a long time at Netflix. Sean Ryan’s deal, reportedly in the eight-figure range and with generous guarantees, was called “It is quite remarkable“In the current economic environment.