Netflix orders A24 golf drama, agrees content pact with YouTube’s Stokes Twins

The Stokes Twins have more than 140 million YouTube followers

Raul Romo

Netflix has commissioned a golf drama from Connor Hines, creator of FX’s Love Story, and New York-based studio A24.

Jupiter Island tells the story of an ultra-exclusive island where professional golfers reign supreme until a secret upends their carefully curated world.

This commission is the first under a newly revealed creative partnership between Hines and Netflix. It comes around five months after the premiere of anthology series Love Story: John F Kennedy Jr & Carolyn Bessette, which is part of Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk’s American Story franchise.

Earlier this week, Love Story received three Emmy nominations, including for best limited or anthology series.

In addition to A24, the series is also executive produced by Julie Gardner from Bad Wolf America, the US arm of the Sony-backed British production company.

Elsewhere, Netflix unveiled a multi-faceted deal with YouTube stars Alex and Alan Stokes, better known as the Stokes Twins.

With the non-exclusive deal, an archive of the Stokes Twins’ most-watched videos will land on Netflix on July 18, with the brothers also set to begin making longform content, including a Netflix series that will debut in 2027.

Born in Fujian, China and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, the 29-year-old identical twins have grown a huge online following with videos focused on skits, challenges, debunking myths and more. On YouTube, the Stokes Twins account has more than 140 million followers and has racked up some 31 billion views since 2008. On TikTok, they have more than 30 million followers.

The strategy of non-exclusively licensing YouTube content from popular content creators and influencers has been used by Netflix previously, including with preschool entertainer Ms Rachel.

The deal is part of a growing number of initiatives taking Netflix beyond its roots in TV and film. Earlier this week, the streaming giant unveiled agreements with a range of digital publishers, including BuzzFeed Studios, Condé Nast and Penske Media, to carry some of their video programming on its platform. It has also struck vodcast deals with the likes of Spotify and iHeartMedia.