The Donovans, a new series loosely based on Showtime’s popular drama Ray Donovan, is set at Paramount+, with Guy Ritchie attached to direct and executive produce. Top Boy creator Ronan Bennett will pen all 10 episodes of the series from Showtime/MTV Studios and 101 Studios. The Donovans will debut on Paramount+ for subscribers with the Paramount+plan with Showtime later this year.
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 Donovans follows two generations of gangsters, the businesses they run, the complex relationships they weave and the man they call upon to fix their problem.
The series is executive produced by Ritchie, Bennett, David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, David Hutkin and Ivan Atkinson.
“Guy Ritchie 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.”
“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.”
Paramount CEO Bob Bakish hinted at more Ray Donovan offshoots last spring, on the heels of Showtime’s announcement of multiple Dexter and Billions spinoffs in the works.
“We’re leaning into our Showtime franchises,” he said during the 2023 Morgan Stanley conference. “You could think of the slate as smaller, which will be less expensive, but also really giving the people what they want, which is more Showtime, maybe more Dexter, maybe more Ray Donovan, and really leaning into that.”
Showtime already revived Ray Donovan once, bringing the show back to give it a proper ending with a movie following its abrupt 2020 cancellation.
Ritchie most recently created and directs The Gentlemen, an eight-part drama series inspired by his 2019 Miramax film, set for premiere March 7 on Netflix. He previously directed the Sherlock Holmes franchise starring Robert Downey Jr., and Disney’s Aladdin which both grossed over $1B worldwide. He also wrote and directed The Covenant starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim.
Bennett created, produced and wrote all episodes of Top Boy, a crime-fueled drama series chronicling drug dealing and gang violence in London. He is also the creator and showrunner of the anticipated TV adaptation of The Day of The Jackal, starring Eddie Redmayne and written by Bennett.
“I’m thrilled to be working with Showtime, Paramount+ and 101 Studios. We’re going to deliver a show which provides massive thrills, entertainment and a huge rush of adrenaline for audiences around the world,” said Bennett. “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.”
Ritchie is repped by Matt Saver and WME. Bennett is with Charles Collier, Chalcot Square and CAA.