Paramount+, Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios, and 101 Studios are teaming for a new series loosely based on the hit Showtime series “Ray Donovan.”
Titled “The Donovans,” the series will be fully written by Ronan Bennett with Guy Ritchie attached to direct and executive produce. It will be available to Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers later this year.
The official description of the series states, “With the most powerful clients in Europe, ‘The Donovans’ will see family fortunes and reputations at risk, odd alliances unfold, and betrayal around every corner; and while the family might be London’s most elite fixers today, the nature of their business means there is no guarantee what’s in store tomorrow.”
The series is executive produced by Richie, Bennett, David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, David Hutkin and Ivan Atkinson.
“Guy Richie and Ronan Bennett are the ideal dream-team to create a new global hit franchise with ‘The Donovans,’” said Chris McCarthy, president of Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios. “Guy’s riveting and stylish directorial approach combined with Ronan’s captivating and brutally authentic writing will transfix audiences into a wild and twisted world full of new adventures.”
This marks the latest TV project for Ritchie, with Netflix preparing to release his series “The Gentlemen” — based on his film of the same name — on March 7. He is also known for directing and writing films such as “Snatch,” “Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels,” “RocknRolla,” and “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” He also directed the two “Sherlock Holmes” films starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, and Rachel McAdams.
He is repped by WME and attorney Matt Saver.
“We’re elated to partner with Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios to reimagine the ‘Ray Donovan’ legacy together. Having Guy and Ronan sign on to join us on this incredible journey has been a true blessing,” said David C. Glasser, CEO of 101 Studios. “We could not be more thrilled to take this huge hit and create a new and exciting show for audiences all over the world.”
Bennett was wrongfully convicted of murder at 19. He served 18 months in prison before his conviction was overturned. He then went on to write novels such as “The Catastrophist,” “Overthrown by Strangers,” and “Havoc, in Its Third Year” among several other books. He is also known for creating shows like the hit British crime drama “Top Boy” and for writing the screenplay for the Johnny Depp/Christian Bale film “Public Enemies.” Next up, he has the Sky and Peacock adaptation of “The Day of the Jackal.”
“I’m thrilled to be working with Showtime, Paramount+ and 101 Studios,” said Bennett. “We’re going to deliver a show which provides massive thrills, entertainment and a huge rush of adrenaline for audiences around the world. At the same time, I’m totally focused on exploring real characters, in body and in soul, and I’m committed to writing stories with deep dramatic impact. We’re going to get under the skin of the criminal underworld, in a way which will show you the bone-deep truths of how they live and how it sometimes will – inevitably – impact on our own lives.”
“Ray Donovan” originally aired on Showtime from 2013-2020 for seven seasons. The series starred Liev Schreiber in the title role alongside a cast that included Paula Malcomson, Jon Voight, Eddie Marsan, Dash Mihok, and Pooch Hall among others. The series previously received an Indian Hindi-language remake, titled “Rana Naidu,” which debuted in 2023.
