Paramount Saves Netflix’s ‘Uncoupled’ Whilst Netflix Saves Paramount’s ‘Ripley’
A number of the US networks are playing “swapsies” with their tv shows at the moment, and the latest two series which are moving are Netflix’s rom-com ‘Uncoupled‘ starring Neil Patrick Harris, and Paramount’s ‘Ripley‘, based on ‘The Talented Mr. Ripley’ novels starring Andrew Scott.
In ‘Uncoupled’, Michael Lawson (Neil Patrick Harris) seems to have it all figured out. He’s a successful New York City real estate agent with a great career, a supportive family, close friends, and a loving relationship with his partner of 17 years, Colin (Tuc Watkins). But when Colin unexpectedly moves out on the eve of his 50th birthday, Michael is completely blindsided. Overnight, he has to confront two nightmares: losing the man he thought was his soulmate, and suddenly finding himself a single gay man in his mid-forties in New York City.
The series comes from Emmy Award-winning co-creators Darren Star (‘Emily in Paris’) and Jeffrey Richman (‘Modern Family’), and also stars Tisha Campbell, Brooks Ashmanskas, Emerson Brooks, and Marcia Gay Harden. The series is produced by MTV Entertainment Studios.
The series was “cancelled by Netflix” (which should really be a trademarked phrase at this point) in January 2023, but Paramount, who own MTV Entertainment Studios, decided to pick it up as part of their Showtime branded content. Showtime itself is going through its own turmoil right now, as Paramount in the USA is integrating it more closely with its Paramount+ streaming service. In the UK, the Showtime content already airs on Paramount+. This has led to them shedding a number of series as the two brand merge, which brings us to…
‘Ripley’ is a limited series adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s ‘The Talented Mr. Ripley’ novels, and sees Andrew Scott (‘Sherlock’, ‘Fleabag’) take the title role. Tom Ripley, a grifter scraping by in early 1960s New York, is hired by a wealthy man to travel to Italy to try to convince his vagabond son to return home. Tom’s acceptance of the job is the first step into a complex life of deceit, fraud and murder.
The series is written and directed by Oscar-winner Steven Zaillian (‘Schindler’s List’, ‘The Night Of’). Johnny Flynn and Dakota Fanning also star. Showtime and Endemol Shine North America co-produce the series in association with Entertainment 360 and Filmrights. The drama is billed and designed as a limited series, which is handy for Netflix as it is a completed story in one season so they don’t have to renew it. However, if it does become a massive hit, they could decide to adapt more of the novels for future seasons.
‘Uncoupled‘ Season 1 can be found on Netflix, but Season 2 will air on Paramount+ (Paramount+ with Showtime in the USA), probably in late 2023.
‘Ripley‘ is currently in early post-production and is expected to premiere around late 2023/early 2024 on Netflix.
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