Sexy Beast Prequel Series Greenlit by Paramount Network

Sexy Beast made its share of waves during the 2002 awards season, notably due to the 2001-released crime drama’s showcase of Sir Ben Kingsley – in shockingly transformative form – in his Best Supporting Oscar-nominated performance as the sociopathic powder-keg of a criminal, Don Logan. However, it seems that the property will do so again, this time in the form of a prequel TV series on the Paramount Network.

Indeed, the Sexy Beast prequel series – a shopped project picked up last year – has officially received the green light from Paramount Network, which just made the confident-inspired move of a straight-to-series order for a 10-episode inaugural season, according to Variety.

While no casting information has been revealed, the series, reportedly set during “the vibrant and volatile 1990s,” will explore the formation of the original film’s depicted criminal collaboration of protagonist Gal (Ray Winstone) and Don Logan (Ben Kingsley), which was the foundation for the film’s inciting incident, in which Logan abruptly interrupts the mellow married life – to former porn star wife DeeDee (Amanda Redman) – of the retired Gal, aggressively (and with violent duress,) offering him an opportunity to revive their partnership with a bank robbery in London.

Paramount’s Sexy Beast prequel series will see Michael Caleo serve as writer and executive producer. He brings experience as a writer/producer from NBC’s 2013 Ironside reboot series, along with episodes of Rescue Me and The Sopranos, as well as the screenplays for films like 2013’s The Family and 2006’s The Last Time.

Karyn Kusama is set to direct and executive produce via her Familystyle production banner, taking over the job from the original film’s director, Jonathan Glazer. Having made a buzz-worthy debut directing pugilistic 2000 film drama Girlfight – as well as notorious offerings like the Charlize Theron-starring Aeon Flux and Megan Fox vehicle Jennifer’s Body – she brings TV directorial experience from episodes of Halt and Catch Fire, Billions, The Man in the High Castle, Masters of Sex, Casual and Chicago Fire.

They are joined by executive producers in Familystyle’s Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, as well as the original Sexy Beast film’s screenwriters, Louis Mellis and David Scinto. Also onboard are network suits in Paramount Network (and TV Land) president of development and production Keith Cox, along with Lauren Ruggiero, the network’s vice president of development. The series is a production of Paramount Television and Anonymous Content. As Cox lauds in a statement:

“We’re thrilled Sexy Beast is joining our robust scripted slate of originals. 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.” He adds, “We’re also honored to team with our sister studio Paramount Television in collaborating on this exciting project.”

We will keep you updated on Paramount Network’s Sexy Beast TV series as the news arrives.

Joseph Baxter is a contributor for Den of Geek and Syfy Wire. You can find his work here. Follow him on Twitter @josbaxter.