What Does Ryan Murphy’s $300 Million Netflix Deal Mean for His Current Shows?
Powerhouse producer Ryan Murphy just landed one of the most incredible and lucrative deals in TV history. The Emmy-winner is leaving his home at 21st Century Fox and moving over to Netflix in a deal that is reportedly worth up to $300 million.
The 52-year-old will head over in July, when his contract with Fox expires.
On February 13, The New York Times announced the deal is one of the largest ever made for a television producer. And with good reason, as Murphy is the mastermind behind some of the most successful TV shows and franchises airing right now.
His works include award-winning anthology series American Crime Story and American Horror Story. Plus, Fox’s new hit 9-1-1 and past successes Glee and Nip/Tuck.
In the deal, the shows Murphy created at FX and Fox will remain at their original networks, as will his upcoming FX musical drama series, Pose. All production planning will continue on course and Murphy will still be heavily involved.
“The history of this moment is not lost on me,” Murphy said in a statement. “I am a gay kid from Indiana who moved to Hollywood in 1989 with $55 in savings in my pocket, so the fact that my dreams have crystallized and come true in such a major way is emotional and overwhelming to me. I am awash in genuine appreciation for Ted Sarandos, Reed Hastings and Cindy Holland at Netflix for believing in me and the future of my company which will continue to champion women, minorities and LGBTQ heroes and heroines, and I am honored and grateful to continue my partnership with my friends and peers at Fox on our existing shows.”
The news isn’t shocking—Murphy expressed concern about his tenure at 21st Century Fox when the studio was purchased by Disney in December 2017. His shows, known for their graphic nature and progressive story lines, don’t exactly fall into family-friendly content that Disney is synonymous with.
During the 2018 Television Critics Association winter press tour, Murphy revealed he was in conversations with Disney CEO Bob Iger about the acquisition. “The stuff I do is not Disney and I’m not interested in that and I’m concerned about that. ‘Am I going to have put Mickey Mouse in American Horror Story?'” he said.
Murphy already has two original shows underway at Netflix. He’s working on Ratched with (frequent collaborator) Sarah Paulson in the lead role. The story follows a younger, sinister Nurse Ratched from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. He also has The Politician, a political satire, with Tony Award-winning Dear Evan Hanson star Ben Platt.
Aside from Murphy, Netflix will also be pumping out new content from ABC powerhouse Shonda Rimes. In August 2017, the Scandal and Grey’s Anatomy creator signed a $10 million contract with the entertainment company.
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