Hot off the presses! Paramount+ has just secured its first significant series deal under new leadership, bringing a gripping legal drama entitled Discretion to the forefront. This much-anticipated project boasts the star power of Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning, who will not only take on leading roles but will also serve as executive producers.
The streaming service engaged in a fierce bidding contest to acquire Discretion, a project crafted by the acclaimed production company A24. Remarkably, this compelling series has only recently appeared on the market, and Paramount+ has already ordered it straight to series. This marks the initial major approval for Cindy Holland, Paramount's fresh streaming head and a former Netflix executive who joined the ranks following the recent Skydance merger, alongside Jane Wiseman, the head of originals at Paramount+.
Discretion derives its narrative from a short story penned by bestselling author Chandler Baker, who will be responsible for the adaptation as well. The storyline is intriguing: it follows Lenny (played by Fanning), a summer associate at a prestigious law firm in Dallas, who stumbles upon a complex network of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) that conceal unsettling truths. When Lenny discovers that she, too, has unwittingly signed one of these agreements, her findings place her directly in the sights of the firm’s most influential female partner, Sharon (portrayed by Kidman). This revelation not only disrupts their mentor-mentee relationship but also prompts the critical question: Who is entitled to keep secrets, and what consequences arise from doing so? This eight-episode season is set to begin filming next year, promising to captivate audiences with its intense storyline.
In the realm of production, Baker and Susannah Grant, known for their outstanding work on Unbelievable and Erin Brockovich, will share executive producing duties for Discretion alongside Elle Fanning, Dakota Fanning, and Brittany Kahan Ward from Lewellen Pictures; Nicole Kidman and Per Saari from Blossom Films; Jordan Cerf; and Joe Hipps through his A24-based Cut To company.
This project also serves as a charming reunion for Kidman, Fanning, and A24, who are collaborating on the forthcoming Apple TV+ series Margo’s Got Money Troubles. Moreover, it provides a moment of nostalgia for Cindy Holland and Joe Hipps as well, harking back to when Hipps was an executive at MRC, the company behind the sale of House of Cards to Netflix, an action that ignited the streaming giant's journey into original series.
Deadline was the first to break the exciting news.
So, what do you think about this fresh collaboration? Do you believe the pairing of Kidman and Fanning will produce magic onscreen? Or do you have reservations about how well this story might translate to television? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
