According to Deadline, Alexi Hawley (Castle), the creator of hit series such as The Rookie starring Nathan Fillion (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) and The Recruit, has solidified their partnership with Lionsgate Television. The writer, showrunner and executive producer has been renowned as the most prolific creator at eOne, with two back-to-back deals that were signed back in 2022 and remained after the merger. The Rookie is currently on its 8th season on ABC, and The Recruit is on its second season on Netflix.
According to Deadline, Lionsgate TV cut 70% of their first-look deals in February across various companies after eOne. Still, as part of the deal, Hawley was allowed to work on the series The Envoy, a television adaptation based on a Vanity Fair article about the release of American hostages. Hawley said about the deal, “Lionsgate is truly a great creative partner, and I’m thrilled to continue making television with them.”
Lionsgate focuses on franchise building, which spreads across TV and films and could lead to the adoption of Hawley’s projects.Lionsgate Television’s chair and chief creative officer, Kevin Beggs (Grizzly Man), expressed enthusiasm via Deadline about the partnership, stating, “Alexi is one of the most talented creators working in television, he has been instrumental to the success of The Rookie franchise and will continue to be a valuable partner for us moving forward.” The studio’s commitment to quality storytelling aligns perfectly with Hawley’s creative aspirations.
As Hawley embarks on this new chapter with Lionsgate Television, industry observers anticipate even more groundbreaking projects from the talented showrunner.According to Deadline, under the new agreement, Hawley is allowed to continue his work on the shows mentioned and create new ones through his Perfectman Pictures. Fans of these crime series can rewatch the previous seasons of The Rookie on Hulu and the first season of The Recruit on Netflix.