The Queen of primetime TV, Variety reports that Shonda Rhimes has just announced that she will be ending her 15-year relationship with ABC upon inking a multi-year production deal with streaming giant Netflix. Her company Shondaland and longtime producing partner Betsy Beers will soon begin producing a new series for Netflix, while she will remains involved with her existing roster of shows at ABC.
“Shonda Rhimes is one of the greatest storytellers in the history of television,” said Ted Sarandos, chief content officer, Netflix, in a statement. “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.”
There is no telling where Rhimes will go with her new Netflix family, however she has yet to disappoint us with her golden touch to make primetime television hit after hit, from Scandal (which will be leaving us after this 8th and final season), How To Get Away With Murder and Grey’s Anatomy preparing to air is fourteenth season in October. Rhimes consistency in bringing human and dramatic well evolved stories to network television is unmatched while her drive is truly admirable. It’s what kept viewers glued to their TV screens every Thursday night (Thank God It’s Thursday or TGIT) for years, tweeting along in real time at the action; an unviable match in the world of streaming services.
“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,” said Rhimes in a statement. “Ted provides a clear, fearless space for creators at Netflix.”
While this new movement is happening ABC has reassured audiences and fans alike that TGIT remains intact and isn’t going anywhere. “I’m proud to have given a home to what have become some of the most celebrated and talked about shows on television,” the network’s president, Channing Dungey, said. “With the launch of a new season upon us, fans can rest assured that TGIT remains intact and will be as buzzed about as ever.”
Though, Rhimes is moving to Netflix we can expect a new law drama to begin airing on ABC entitled For The People, there also a new Grey’s Anatomy spin-off coming and of course, the final season of Scandal; that is sure to be memorable. There is an even brighter side in that Shonda Rhimes is sure to bring us more hard-hitting dramas with more creative freedom in variety programming without the bounds of broadcast TV. Which can reach larger audiences across the world—therefore, sky’s truly the limit.
