Lionsgate Options Vanity Fair Hostage Article “Take No Prisoners”

Lionsgate Television has optioned Adam Ciralsky’s Vanity Fair article “Take No Prisoners” for series development, with The Rookie and The Recruit showrunner Alexi Hawley as creator.

Ciralsky’s article chronicles the work of Roger Carstens, the U.S. special envoy for hostage affairs, and his colleagues as they work to free U.S. detainees held by figures such as Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro. The scripted series adaptation will follow one fictionalized hostage scenario per season.

While writing the article, Ciralsky witnessed negotiations, interviewed dozens of officials and was present for successful and unsuccessful hostage recovery missions over a year. The article was published in June 2024.

Hawley’s Perfectman Pictures is attached to produce the scripted series alongside P3 Media. Ciralsky (The Recruit) and Gene Klein (The Recruit, Suits) will executive produce under P3.

“It’s an honor to create a show based on Adam’s riveting article, fictionalizing the high-stakes, exhaustive and emotional efforts to bring America’s hostages home,” Hawley said.

Ciralsky commented, “Gene and I are thrilled to be reunited with Alexi and our talented partners at Lionsgate. Having collaborated on two amazing seasons of The Recruit, we know Alexi to be a singular voice and the perfect person to bring this show to life.”

“In just the past few days, we’ve seen this piece resonate with Vanity Fair readers globally,” said Scott Herbst, executive VP and head of scripted development at Lionsgate Television. “We’ve assembled a top-tier creative team to bring audiences a series inspired by the team that has impacted the lives of numerous hostages.”