Shonda Rhimes has jumped ship from ABC to Netflix! She has scored a multi-year deal with the streaming company that allows her and her Shondaland company to create and produce new projects for the platform. Under what is said to be a rich four-year deal, Rhimes is expected to score a percentage of the back-end on programming she creates for Netflix.
Rhimes is renowned for her work. Some of her most famous creations — Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and How to Get Away With Murder — all stream on Netflix already. Her Grey’s Anatomy library on Netflix has helped elevate the veteran ABC medical soap to become the network’s most-watched drama.
“Shonda Rhimes is one of the greatest storytellers in the history of television,” Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said in a press release. “Her work is gripping, inventive, pulse-pounding, heart-stopping, taboo-breaking television at its best. I’ve gotten the chance to know Shonda and she’s a true Netflixer at heart — she loves TV and films, she cares passionately about her work, and she delivers for her audience. We’re so excited to welcome her to Netflix.”
Another big reason for Shonda’s move seems to be creative freedom as a story teller.
“Ted provides a clear, fearless space for creators at Netflix,” Rhimes explained. “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.”
If you’re a fan of #TGIT (Thank God It’s Thursday), the designated night for Shonda Rhimes’ masterpieces to premiere, have no fear. ABC will continue to remain home to Grey’s Anatomy and its upcoming spinoff as well as Scandal, How to Get Away With Murder, and the forthcoming drama For the People.
Although Rhimes has been with ABC for 15 years, sources say she had been renegotiating her overall deal with ABC Studios for the past few months. The battle for top talent is aggressive out here, and Netflix is working hard. Last week, the streamer picked up a talk show hosted by David Letterman and acquired comic book publisher Millarworld as it pushes to own more of its content.
Rhimes is the first African-American woman to notch the rare 100-episode milestone three times in her career for Grey’s, Private Practice and Scandal. She is truly a gladiator and deserves all the blessings coming her way. Get your Netflix accounts in order, people!
