Warner Bros TV signs Hacks co-creators Lucia Aniello and Paul W Downs

Warner Bros Television Group (WBTVG) has signed an exclusive overall deal with the co-creators of Hacks, Lucia Aniello and Paul W Downs, and their production company.

Lucia Anielllo (photo: Leigh Keily)

The US studio said the multi-year agreement with Paulilu Productions, terms of which have not been disclosed, was secured in a competitive situation.

WBTVG will now serve as Paulilu’s exclusive home for all new television ventures. It marks the first overall deal for Paulilu with WBTVG.

Under the deal, Aniello and Downs will develop original television programming for all platforms, including WarnerMedia’s HBO Max, external streaming services, cable and the broadcast networks.

Prior to the WBTV deal, Aniello and Downs co-created, with Jen Statsky, HBO Max comedy series Hacks, which debuted in May 2021 and was renewed for a second season the following month.

The first season of Hacks was nominated for 15 Emmy Awards, including outstanding comedy series.

Paul W Downs (photo: Leigh Keily)

Before Hacks, Aniello and Downs wrote, directed and executive produced Comedy Central series Broad City, which ran for five seasons, while Downs also starred in the comedy.

On the big screen, Aniello and Downs wrote and produced Sony’s Rough Night, starring Scarlett Johansson, which Downs also starred in and Aniello directed.

Aniello also serves as executive producer on Comedy Central series Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens, currently in its second season, and Netflix’s The Baby-Sitters Club, which has been renewed for a second season.

Downs also co-starred in Netflix’s 2018 comedy Like Father, opposite Kristen Bell, Kelsey Grammer and Seth Rogen, as well as in his own half-hour special of Netflix’s The Characters.

Other past projects include Comedy Central miniseries Time Traveling Bong, created and written by Downs and Aniello, with Downs starring. Aniello and Downs are represented by UTA, 3 Arts and Ziffren Brittenham LLP.