Paramount+ Makes a Major Move

Paramount+ has acquired the legal thriller Discretion starring Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning, ordering it straight-to-series in a competitive situation. This marks a significant move for Paramount’s streaming division under Cindy Holland’s leadership in the new David Ellison era.

The Series

The eight-episode series is produced by A24, with production set to begin in 2026. Based on Chandler Baker’s adaptation of her upcoming short story, it will focus on an associate in a Dallas law practice who discovers the truth behind the company’s NDA, destroying her relationship with her mentor and senior partner.

Recent Developments

The Paramount+ move reflects a recent big swing from stablemate Paramount Pictures, which wasted little time on High Page. Less than two weeks later, parent company Paramount signed an exclusive deal with Stranger Things creators the Duffer brothers. This has led to speculation about whether a newly disrupted streaming division will come under new Paramount ownership, which could have an aggressive impact on the market for the film business.

Streaming Strategy

Holland, the chairman of direct-to-consumer and former head of originals at Netflix, has announced that Paramount+’s original features are not their priority at this time. However, film sources have noted increased activity by the Paramount+ Acquisitions team during and outside of festivals and markets to acquire third-party titles. Jane Wiseman is the head of originals at Paramount+.

Pay TV Angle

Multiple sources have lamented the lack of pay-TV offerings and the fact that streamers are low-ball deals that independent theater distributors rely on to pay minimum guarantees. With some pay TV offerings soon understood to be up for renewal, this could be the moment an ambitious streamer emerges. There has been speculation that Paramount+ could be one such ambitious streamer, with sources suggesting that this would make an ideal pay-TV partner for a company like 101 Studios.

Cast and Credits

Nicole Kidman’s production credits include Practical Magic 2 and the title role in Prime Video Crime Series Shoe, while her recent credits include Baby Girl and Netflix TV show Dream Couple. Elle Fanning will next be seen in Joachim Trier’s Cannes Grand Prize Winner Sentimental Value at Neon and Predator: Badlands through Disney, both of which open November 7th. Their tensions include A Complete Unknown.