Netflix Orders Thriller Series From The Umbrella Academy Writer

Netflix has greenlit an as-yet-untitled series about supernatural creatures from Jesse McKeown, writer of The Umbrella Academy, among others. The currently untitled Canadian limited series will be set and filmed in Newfoundland, on the country's Atlantic coast, as the six-part series will focus on a mysterious sea monster terrorizing a remote town, with a tenacious fisherman fighting to protect his family, his community and his disappearing way of life.



Jesse McKeown is an experienced screenwriter of popular television series such as The Umbrella Academy and the Canadian police drama 19-2 (2014). He also wrote Rogue, Republic of Doyle and Da Vinci's Inquest, among others.

Danielle Woodrow and Tara Woodbury, directors of content for Netflix Canada, said of the commission on Thursday: “Jesse’s bold, ambitious vision offers thrills galore, with the heart of a family drama. We can’t wait to transport our members to coastal Newfoundland with this timely story about community, resilience and adaptability.”

Laura Churchill, CEO of Picture NL, which markets the east coast Canadian province to U.S. and foreign producers as a destination for original series, welcomed Netflix bringing its new series to her backyard. “The province’s breathtaking landscapes, skilled crews, and deep storytelling traditions make it the perfect setting for a project of this scale. We look forward to working with the team to showcase all that Newfoundland and Labrador has to offer,” she said in a statement.

McKeown created the limited series for Netflix and is the showrunner and executive producer of the Canadian indie. The writers are Karen Walton (Orphan Black), Perry Chafe and Natty Zavitz.