Netflix has poached another huge TV talent. Last year, the streaming service signed a hefty overall deal with producerShonda Rhimes, moving theGrey’s Anatomycreator’s production company from its longtime home of ABC to Netflix. Now, in an even bigger deal, Netflix has luredRyan Murphyaway fromhislongtime home of 20th Century Fox for a price said to be in the range of $300 million. That covers a five-year agreement to produce new films and TV series exclusively at Netflix starting July 1st.
Murphy first set up shop with Fox with the launch of the FX drama seriesNip/Tuckin 2003, which ran for six seasons. Then in 2009 Murphy launchedGleeon FOX to massive buzz and ratings, and in 2011 basically created an entire new brand for FX withAmerican Horror Story, which kicked off a trend of anthology-type series. That continued with the critically acclaimedAmerican Crime StoryandFeud, and indeed under Murphy’s Fox deal he’s really only had one dud so far, the FOX comedy seriesScream Queenswhich only lasted two seasons. This past fall he launched the popular FOX procedural9-1-1.
But Murphy’s future with 20th Century Fox was in doubt as his deal was coming to a close this year and news of Disney’s purchase of Fox—which would include FX—added a shroud of uncertainty to Murphy’s future at the network. Disney CEOBob Igertried to ease his concerns, but in the end Murphy decided to jump ship over to Netflix, where he had already begun a relationship.
IndeedNip/Tuckwas the first TV show Netflix ever licensed, and the success ofAmerican Horror Storyon the streaming service helped boost that show’s ratings. Last year Murphy set up his first Netflix series, aOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nestprequel calledRatchedwithSarah Paulson, and earlier this month Murphy soldanother huge show to Netflix, theBen Platt-frontedThe Politician. Now that relationship will continue with even more shows and films.
The promise of creative freedom and the opportunity to make more features no doubt played a major factor in Murphy’s decision, as he’s previously helmed the featuresRunning with Scissors,Eat Pray Love, andThe Normal Heart.
Murphy has a number of shows still running at FX that he will presumably continue to oversee, like new seasons ofAmerican Crime Story,American Horror Story, andFeudas well as the upcoming new seriesPose. But when it comes to new Ryan Murphy shows, it sounds like you’re gonna have to head to Netflix for that. It’s the end of an era, truly.
