Prime Video Orders Series Based on Ed Brubaker’s Criminal

Prime Video has given a straight-to-series order for Criminal, based on the graphic novel series created by Ed Brubaker (Westworld, Batman: Caped Crusader) and Sean Phillips.

Criminal features an interlocking universe of crime stories. Brubaker wrote the pilot script for the TV adaptation and will co-showrun with crime fiction author Jordan Harper (Hightown, Gotham, The Mentalist).

Brubaker and Phillips have been a team for over 20 years and, in addition to Criminal, have worked on The Fade Out, Kill or be Killed, Reckless, Pulp and many others. Separately, Brubaker has written key arcs for Marvel and DC Comics, including Batman, Catwoman, The Immortal Iron First and Captain America, including creating the character of the Winter Soldier.

Harper, co-showrunner, is the award-winning author of She Rides Shotgun, which is currently being adapted as a feature film with Taron Egerton, and Everybody Knows.

Brubaker, Harper, Phillips, Sarah Carbiener and Phillip Barnett are executive producing the series, alongside Legendary Television. Amazon MGM Studios is producing.

“Criminal is a beloved graphic novel created by the most iconic team in the history of comics,” said Nick Pepper, head of U.S. SVOD wholly owned development at Amazon MGM Studios. “I know our global Prime Video customers will immediately embrace this story, and I look forward to working with Ed, Jordan and the team to bring it to the screen.”

“Sean and I have been building this world in our books for over a decade, and now to be able to bring it to life for Amazon is just incredible,” Brubaker said. “And to have Amazon support the project the way they have and show so much faith in my and Jordan’s vision for the show is even more incredible.”