Key Takeaways
- Netflix is developing a television series adaptation of the 2024 film Hit Man, which starred and was co‑written by Glen Powell and directed by Richard Linklater.
- The series will be executive produced by Powell, Linklater, Stephen Falk (creator of You’re the Worst), and representatives from AGC Television and Powell’s BarnStorm Productions.
- The show is expected to retain the film’s core premise: an unassuming police contractor/college professor who assumes elaborate disguises and false identities to pose as a fake hit‑man and expose people seeking to hire killers.
- The project follows Netflix’s recent strategy of turning successful acquired films into series, similar to To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before → XO, Kitty and the upcoming Extraction TV spinoff.
- Hit Man garnered strong critical reception after its Netflix debut in June 2024, earning a Golden Globe nomination for Glen Powell and a WGA Award nomination for Powell and Linklater.
Netflix is moving forward with a television adaptation of the 2024 AGC Studios feature Hit Man, a project that has been quietly in development for several months. According to industry sources, the streamer has enlisted the original film’s creative talents—Glen Powell and Richard Linklater—to serve as executive producers, ensuring that the series remains closely tied to the tone and vision that made the movie a festival favorite. The show’s script is being handled by Stephen Falk, best known as the creator, executive producer, and showrunner of the critically acclaimed FXX comedy You’re the Worst. Falk’s résumé also includes stints on Orange Is the New Black, Weeds, and Apple TV+’s Hello Tomorrow!, indicating a strong blend of sharp character work and genre flexibility.
In addition to Falk, the executive producer roster features Powell’s own production banner, BarnStorm Productions (represented by Dan Cohen), and AGC Television executives Stuart Ford, Miguel A. Palos Jr., and Lourdes Diaz. The project also lists a handful of co‑executive producers—Steve Barnett, Alan Powell, Vicky Patel, Shivani Rawat, and Julie Goldstein—underscoring the collaborative effort behind the series. Netflix has declined to comment on the development, a typical stance for projects still in early stages, but the involvement of high‑profile talent suggests the streamer is taking the adaptation seriously.
While specific plot details remain under wraps, insiders indicate that the series will follow the film’s central premise: a seemingly ordinary police contractor—originally depicted as a college professor—who creates intricate disguises and adopts various false identities to pose as a fake hit‑man. By infiltrating circles of individuals looking to hire assassins, the protagonist gathers evidence and thwarts murder plots, all while navigating the moral and personal complications of living a double life. This concept invites comparisons to spy‑centric shows like J.J. Abrams’ Alias, where the lead routinely assumes new personas, and it also echoes Powell’s own recent work on the Hulu comedy Chad Powers, in which he utilizes prosthetics and elaborate costumes for comedic effect.
The original Hit Man film enjoyed a robust festival circuit before landing on Netflix. Announced by AGC Studio in May 2022, the movie secured multiple international sales ahead of its fall 2022 production start. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival, followed by a North American debut at the Toronto International Film Festival, where Netflix acquired U.S., U.K., and several other territory rights for a reported $20 million. After a limited theatrical run, the film arrived on Netflix in June 2024 to enthusiastic reviews, praising its blend of dark comedy, suspense, and Powell’s charismatic lead performance. The film’s awards trajectory included a Golden Globe nomination for Powell and a Writers Guild of America Award nomination for the Powell‑Linklater writing team, further cementing its critical standing.
Netflix’s decision to develop a series from Hit Man aligns with a broader pattern of converting successful acquired films into ongoing television properties. Recent examples include the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before franchise, which yielded the spinoff series XO, Kitty—now entering its third season—and the forthcoming Extraction TV series, which expands the universe of the original action‑film franchise. By leveraging existing intellectual property that has already demonstrated audience appeal, Netflix mitigates risk while capitalizing on built‑in fan bases and recognizable talent.
The involvement of Stephen Falk suggests a potential shift toward a more character‑driven, possibly serialized approach, balancing the film’s tongue‑in‑cheek thriller tone with the nuanced, relationship‑focused storytelling that defined You’re the Worst. Falk’s experience with both comedy and drama could allow the series to explore the psychological toll of living under multiple identities, the ethical gray areas of entrapment, and the interpersonal fallout when the protagonist’s deceptions bleed into his personal life.
Overall, the Hit Man series represents a strategic move for Netflix to deepen its investment in a property that already garnered critical acclaim and awards attention. With Powell and Linklater retaining executive producer roles, Falk steering the writing, and a seasoned production team from AGC and BarnStorm on board, the adaptation appears poised to capture the original film’s charm while expanding its narrative scope for episodic storytelling. As development proceeds, further details about casting, episode count, and release timing will likely emerge, but the current signals point to a promising addition to Netflix’s growing slate of film‑to‑series transitions.