Shonda Rhimes Leaves ABC for Huge Deal With Netflix
Shonda Rhimes and her Shondaland banner are moving.
The prolific showrunner behind Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder and more has jumped ship from her longtime home at ABC Studios and is heading for the streaming giant Netflix.
Under what is reportedly a four-year deal, Rhimes is expected to score a percentage of the backend on all programming she creates for Netflix. It also gives the popular content creator a new place to tell richer stories that push the envelope as the streaming world allows more creative freedom than traditional networks.
“Shonda Rhimes is one of the greatest storytellers in the history of television,” Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos said. “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.”
"Our current shows will continue to thrive on ABC and Shondaland will be there every step of the way," Rhimes said. "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. 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."
The Rhimes deal is Netflix's first overall deal with any television producer.
Watch Scandal Star Kerry Washington on GMA: