Sexy Beast prequel attracts Paramount

Viacom-owned Paramount Network has ordered a 10-episode season of Sexy Beast, a prequel to the critically acclaimed and award-winning 2000 feature film.

Michael Caleo

Michael Caleo (The Sopranos) is set to write and executive produce the series, which will be produced by Paramount Television and Anonymous Content.

It tells the origin story of Gal Dove, a brilliant thief who finds himself descending into the seductive madness of the London criminal world during the vibrant and volatile 1990s.

The series will explore the early days of Gal’s complicated relationship with Don Logan, a vicious gangster with whom Gal forms a partnership, the beginnings of his association with criminal mastermind Teddy Bass and how Gal met and fell in love with DeeDee, an adult film star who would become his wife.

Karyn Kusama (Destroyer) is directing and executive producing through her company, Familystyle, which also comprises Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay (Destroyer), who will also serve as executive producers on the show.

Karyn Kusama

Also serving as executive producers are Louis Mellis and David Scinto, the original screenwriters of Sexy Beast.

Keith Cox, president of development and production, Paramount Network and TV Land, and Lauren Ruggiero, VP of development for Paramount Network, will oversee Sexy Beast for the network.

The original feature film starred Ray Winstone as Dove, with the film picking up after he has served his time behind bars and has retired to a Spanish villa with his wife. However, the idyll is shattered by the arrival of his nemesis Logan, played by Ben Kingsley, who wants Gal to return to London for one last big job.

The series joins Paramount Network’s growing scripted slate, headlined by Yellowstone, 68 Whiskey, Emily in Paris, Coyote and Paradise Lost (working title).

“We were impressed with Michael Caleo’s craft of the prequel, bringing these strong characters back to life for TV audiences, and with the exceptional style Karyn Kusama plans to bring to this series,” said Cox.