Shonda Rhimes leaves ABC for multi-year deal at Netflix

Prolific showrunner and producer Shonda Rhimes has left ABC Studios for a multi-year deal at Netflix. 

Under the multi-year deal, Rhimes and her Shondaland production company will produce series and other projects for the streaming giant.

Rhymes’ longtime producing partner, Betsy Beers will continue to head Shondaland as it moves to Netflix. 

The move further unites Rhimes with Netflix, which streams Shondaland series How To Get Away With Murder worldwide, and Rhimes’ long-running Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal in many regions as well.

ABC will continue to air Scandal, How To Get Away With Murder and Grey’s Anatomy, which in its 13th season is the network’s most-watched drama, in the US. 

ABC will also air the upcoming drama For The People, as well as the Grey’s Anatomy firefighter spinoff series.

The move is a major coup for Netflix. For 12 years at ABC, Rhimes proved herself to be one of the biggest writing and producing talents on broadcast television.

ABC’s Thursday-night line-up is comprised entirely of series from Rhimes and her company Shondaland.

“Shonda Rhimes is one of the greatest storytellers in the history of television,” Ted Sarandos, chief content officer for Netflix, 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.”

Rhimes said: ”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 honoured to expand both our audience and our creative identity with Ted and the entire team at Netflix.”

Beers added: ”I am a huge fan of the talented team and amazing programming at Netflix. The ability to create content for our new partners is an exciting challenge. I am grateful to everyone at ABC for their continued support and I look forward to beginning this next chapter at Netflix.”