Jensen Ackles Leads MGM+ Crime Drama 'Rules of Prey' Adapted from John Sandford Novels

Key points

• Jensen Ackles is set to headline and executive produce the new series 'Rules of Prey' for the MGM+ streaming platform.
• The series is an adaptation of the first book in John Sandford's 'Prey' novel series, which has expanded to 36 books since 1989.
• Bruce Terris, known for 'DTF St. Louis,' serves as showrunner and executive producer, having secured an overall deal with MGM Television.
• The eight-episode season will film in Toronto starting this month, with Daniel Sackheim directing the pilot and second episode.
• The show will premiere on MGM+ in the U.S. and ten other countries, including the UK, Germany, and Brazil.

Background

MGM+ has recently expanded its thriller slate, including the 1970s-set 'American Hostage' starring Jon Hamm. Ackles continues a long-standing relationship with Amazon MGM Studios, having starred in 'The Boys' and 'Countdown,' and is set to reprise his role in the 2027 prequel 'Vought Rising.'

How outlets are covering it

Variety and Deadline both confirm the core details of the deal, noting Ackles' continued prominence at Amazon MGM Studios. Deadline emphasizes Ackles' recent Emmy win for 'DTF St. Louis' and his upcoming return to CBS' 'Tracker.' TVLine highlights Ackles' post-'Supernatural' career trajectory, including his work on 'Big Sky' and 'The Boys,' while noting the series' focus on a psychological duel between the detective and the killer. All outlets agree on the production timeline and international release strategy.

Why it matters

The greenlighting of 'Rules of Prey' signals MGM+'s continued investment in high-profile, book-to-screen adaptations and its reliance on established stars like Ackles to drive subscriber engagement. It also reflects the ongoing trend of adapting long-running literary franchises into limited series, leveraging Ackles' existing fanbase from 'The Boys' and 'Supernatural' to attract viewers to the platform.

What to watch

Production is scheduled to begin in Toronto this month. The series is expected to premiere on MGM+ in the coming year, following the completion of filming and post-production. Ackles will also appear in the fourth season of CBS' 'Tracker' and the 2027 prequel 'Vought Rising.'