Netflix Reports Deal with Sony for 13-Episode Series from Creators of 'Damages'

Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) has ordered a new psychological thriller series from "Damages" creatorsTodd A. Kessler, Daniel Zelman and Glenn Kessler ("KZK") that centers on afamily of adult siblings whose secrets and scars are revealed when their blacksheep brother returns home. The 13-episode first season, from Sony (NYSE: SNE) PicturesTelevision, will premiere exclusively for Netflix members to watch instantlyin all Netflix territories."We were spellbound after hearing Todd, Glenn and Daniel's pitch, and knewNetflix was the perfect home for this suspenseful family drama that is goingto have viewers on the edge of their seats," said Cindy Holland, vicepresident of original content for Netflix. "Their work on 'Damages' was trulyahead of its time and we're proud to be bringing our viewers this upcomingseries.""We are absolutely thrilled to be creating an original series for Netflix -- acompany committed to cutting-edge storytelling in a vibrant, new space.  We'reequally excited about our relationship with Sony Pictures TV, which continuesto provide us with unwavering creative support.  We've always wanted to putour spin on a family saga and examine universal themes of family in a way thathas never been seen before on television.  The series is a tightly woundthriller that explores the complex bonds between parents and children,brothers and sisters, and the rivalries, jealousies, and betrayals at the coreof every family," said Todd A. Kessler, Daniel Zelman and Glenn Kessler."The guys worked so hard to come up with the right idea after the success ofDamages," said Jamie Erlicht, president of programming and production for SonyPictures Television. "It took almost a year to fully develop the pitch andtheir patience paid off with the incredible reaction in the community,especially at Netflix, the perfect home for this show."Set to begin production in early 2014, the series explores the wounds andemotional demons that lie at the core of a contemporary American family.Kessler, Zelman and Kessler will serve as executive producers of the one-hourdrama that will be produced by Sony Pictures Television for Netflix.Together, the Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominated Writers/Executive ProducersTodd A. Kessler, Daniel Zelman, and Glenn Kessler co-created the award winninglegal thriller "Damages." Todd A. Kessler also wrote and produced the secondand third seasons of HBO's "The Sopranos"; Michael Mann's "Robbery HomicideDivision," and the first season of NBC's "Providence." Kessler began hiscareer as a playwright working with David Rabe, and segued into film andtelevision when Spike Lee hired him as a screenwriter. Kessler graduated MagnaCum Laude from Harvard University with a degree in Dramatic Literature andPlaywriting, and has twice been a Visiting Artist at Harvard, teachingscreenwriting seminars. He has been nominated for seven Emmys® and threeGolden Globe Awards®, as well as a Writers Guild of America Award and aProducers Guild Award. Daniel Zelman has co-authored seven screenplays.Zelman's first collaboration with the Kesslers was on "The Inside," a seriesthe brothers created for FOX. Before turning to writing, Zelman received hismaster of fine arts degree from New York University's Tisch School of ArtsGraduate Acting Program. Zelman went on to appear as an actor in film,television and on-stage in New York, where he acted in many Off- BroadwayPlays and on Broadway in Tony Kushner's Angels in America. Zelman has beennominated for three Emmy® Awards, a Golden Globe® award, a Writers Guild ofAmerica Award and a Producers Guild Award. Glenn Kessler began his career as aplaywright and an actor in film, television, and on stage. He segued intotelevision writing working on Michael Mann's CBS drama Robbery HomicideDivision. Since then, Kessler has created dramas for 20th Century Fox,Universal, USA, and Imagine Television. Kessler holds a Master in Fine Artsfrom New York University's Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Acting Program.He graduated with honors from Harvard University where he earned a degree inEnglish and American Literature. Kessler has been nominated for three Emmy®Awards, a Golden Globe® award as well as a Writers Guild of America Award anda Producers Guild Award.