Netflix Canada agrees creative pact with Transplant scribe Joseph Kay

Netflix in Canada has entered into an exclusive creative partnership with Joseph Kay, the writer-producer behind hit medical drama Transplant.

Joseph Kay

Kay will both write for and develop new content for Netflix in Canada. He is currently developing a new family drama, said Netflix, but it did not share details about the project.

Kay was the creator and showrunner on Hamza Haq-led Transplant, which ran for four seasons on Bell Media’s CTV in Canada and NBC in the US.

More recently, he has been a consulting producer on Netflix’s arctic comedy North of North, which returns for its second season next week, and a co-executive producer on the upcoming Netflix romance series This Summer Will Be Different, based on Carley Fortune’s novel. His other writer and producer credits include Ransom, This Life and Republic of Doyle.

The announcement of the creative partnership comes as Netflix’s Canadian team rides a wave of momentum, with its latest series Below enjoying its third week on top of the streamer’s top 10 TV chart. Since it launched, Below has garnered 45.9 million views, making it the most viewed debut of a Canadian title ever on the service, according to Netflix.

In addition to the new pact with Kay, Netflix Canada also has a first-look deal with Mae Martin, who created the limited mystery thriller Wayward.

“Joe is a seasoned and gifted creator and showrunner, who is also adept at supporting other writers. We have loved working with him on our shows so far and we are thrilled to expand our relationship,” said Netflix’s directors of content in Canada, Danielle Woodrow and Tara Woodbury.