Paramount+, Sutherland team up for spy drama

Kiefer Sutherland in Designated Survivor

ViacomCBS-owned Paramount+ is moving forward with an as-yet-untitled espionage drama with Kiefer Sutherland (24, Designated Survivor) playing the lead.

Produced by CBS Studios and distributed internationally by ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group, the eight-episode show will stream exclusively on Paramount+ in 2022.

It sees Sutherland play a private espionage operative in the middle of a battle over the preservation of democracy in a world beset by misinformation, behavioural manipulation and the surveillance state.

Sutherland is best known for his award-winning portrayal of agent Jack Bauer in hit Fox series 24, for which he received a Golden Globe Award, an Emmy and two SAG Awards.

He will executive produce the drama, alongside writer/directors John Requa and Glenn Ficarra, plus Charlie Gogolak and Suzan Bymel.

It marks the latest tentpole scripted series for ViacomCBS’s streaming service, which launched https://www.c21media.net/news/paramount-takes-over-mtv-nickelodeon/ in the US, Canada and 18 countries in Latin America earlier this year.

“Kiefer Sutherland and powerful, heart-pounding dramas go hand in hand. We’re thrilled to have him and master storytellers John Requa and Glenn Ficarra at the helm, taking us on a very personal ride to uncover the truth,” said Julie McNamara, executive VP and head of programming at Paramount+.