Netflix has signed an exclusive overall deal with Joseph Kay, the creator and showrunner of the medical drama Transplant, which landed on NBC stateside.
As part of the deal, Kay will develop and write new TV series for Netflix in Canada, starting with an untitled new family drama. He most recently worked with Netflix as a consulting producer on North of North season 2, the Arctic-set comedy also on the CBC and set to return on Nov. 5.
Also for Netflix, he co-executive produced the upcoming adaptation of Carley Fortune’s bestselling novel, This Summer Will Be Different. Transplant, which ran for four seasons, was a medical procedural about a Syrian refugee working as a doctor in a Toronto trauma unit.
The drama centered on Dr. Bashir “Bash” Hamed (Hamza Haq, Quantico), a Syrian doctor with battle-tested skills in emergency medicine who fled his country with his younger sister, Amira (Sirena Gulamgaus). Together they struggled to build a new life in Canada while Bash strived to rebuild his career in medicine.
Transplant was produced by Sphère Média Plus, in association with CTV and NBCUniversal International Studios.
“I am beyond grateful and thrilled to partner with this incredible company. I have huge admiration for Netflix’s entire team, and for their unsurpassed drive to tell great stories and connect with audiences around the world,” Kay said in a statement on Wednesday. His TV writing credits include Ransom, This Life and Republic of Doyle.
“Joe is a seasoned and gifted creator and showrunner, who is also adept at supporting other writers. We have loved working with him on our shows so far and we are thrilled to expand our relationship,” Danielle Woodrow and Tara Woodbury, directors of content at Netflix Canada, said in their own statement.
Kay is represented by Dustin Alpern and Conrad Sun at Sundust Management. The overall deal was negotiated by Casey Chisick of Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP.
Original Article on Hollywood Reporter