In a massive TV industry shakeup, Shonda Rhimes has ended her 15-year relationship with ABC Studios and is taking her Shondaland production company to Netflix.
Rhimes has entered a multi-year deal with Netflix to produce new series and other projects. Her longtime production partner, Betsy Beers, is also making the move to Netflix.
Shondaland series Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and How to Get Away with Murder will continue to air on ABC in the U.S. HTGAWM already streams everywhere else in the world on Netflix, plus Grey’s and Scandal are available on Netflix in several regions across the globe.
Shonda Rhimes made the following statement about the deal:
“Shondaland’s move to Netflix is the result of a shared plan Ted Sarandos and I built based on my vision for myself as a storyteller and for the evolution of my company. Ted provides a clear, fearless space for creators at Netflix. He understood what I was looking for — the opportunity to build a vibrant new storytelling home for writers with the unique creative freedom and instantaneous global reach provided by Netflix’s singular sense of innovation. The future of Shondaland at Netflix has limitless possibilities.
“Our current shows will continue to thrive on ABC and Shondaland will be there every step of the way. I could not have asked for a better home to begin my career. I continue to be grateful to work with so many talented people – especially our studio gladiator Patrick Moran and our most powerful and brilliant champion Channing Dungey.
“Starting today, we are thrilled to begin creating new Shondaland stories with Netflix. Everyone at Shondaland is honored to expand both our audience and our creative identity with Ted and the entire team at Netflix.”
We’ll be keeping close tabs on upcoming Shondaland originals on Netflix, and how this switch-up affects ABC.
Images Courtesy of Netflix
