Paramount+’s Drama Slate Post-Merger: Series Moving, Shared Oversight

Almost a month into Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery into Skydance, pieces are still coming together, and there is probably no area with more pieces to sort out than Skydance’s Direct to Consumer. With the content operations of Paramount+ and HBO/HBO Max combined under Casey Bloys, now Co-Chair and Chief Content Officer, Skydance DTC, the former HBO & HBO Content CEO saw his portfolio more than double overnight.

The expansion is passed onto his senior team which he brought over from HBO/HBO Max, led by Francesca Orsi, Amy Gravitt and Sarah Aubrey, with Paramount+’s EVP and Head of Originals Jane Wiseman leaving as part of the restructuring announced Oct. 23.

Organizing the combined slate has been a priority for the new regime as they are reviewing Paramount+’s development and production pipeline. The process is in early stages and sources stress that no decisions have been made but various ideas are being discussed, including possibly relocating upcoming Paramount+ drama series to HBO, I hear.

Among the shows considered logical targets for a move to HBO are legal thriller Discretion, starring Big Little Lies‘ Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning, which has frequently been described as HBO-like, 9/11 first responders limited series The Best Of Us, which is headlined by Emmy-winning Succession star Jeremy Strong, as well as a couple of projects awaiting official green light.

There have been conversations, which I hear have reached the highest levels, but no migrations, with all series earmarked for Paramount+ remaining there for the time being. Talks are continuing.

Even if the two streamers’ slates remain status quo — they are bound to merge eventually as Skydance co-CEO David Ellison has revealed plans for HBO Max and Paramount+ to become one platform in the next couple of years — there could be an HBO stamp on some upcoming Paramount+ dramas via potential involvement by Orsi.

While Paramount+ has been staying largely out of the original comedy series game, BET+’s The Varnell Hill Show being a rare exception, its original drama slate is extensive, led by the flagship Taylor Sheridan universe. (The streamer also has next-day comedies and drama procedurals coming from CBS.)

In the new structure, HBO Max’s Head of Originals Aubrey, now Head of Paramount+, Max Originals and International Programming, added oversight of all Paramount+ programming, with Wiseman’s team reporting to her.

As part of the same realignment, Orsi was promoted from EVP to President, HBO Drama Series and Films in an expanded new role that involves her working with Bloys on determining which drama projects are best suited for HBO.

I hear that may involve her taking oversight of Paramount+ original dramas that carry HBO DNA, whether they relocate to HBO or not.

Aubrey and Orsi are currently reviewing the Paramount+ drama slate together, and I hear there is a possibility for Orsi to work on shows that stay on Paramount+ whenever it makes sense. Those are expected to be in the prestige drama lane that HBO is known for.