TCA 2018: Starz To Create 'John Wick’ Series Adaptation

Pasadena, Calif. -- Starz will develop a series adaptation of Lionsgate's John Wick film franchise, the network announced Friday during its Television Critics Association panel.

The series, dubbed The Continental, will be set in the John Wick universe, focusing on the inner working of the exclusive Continental Hotel -- which serves as a refuge for assassins, according to the network.

Chris Collins (Sons Of Anarchy) will serve as the showrunner for the series, which will be executive produced by Colllins, Basil Iwanyk (The John Wick film franchise), John Wick star Keanu Reeves, Chad Stahelski (John Wick), Derek Kolstad (John Wick) and David Leitch (John Wick, Deadpool 2).

“This series is truly unlike anything else on TV,” said Starz CEO Chris Albrecht in a statement. “The Continental promises to include the thunderous fight sequences and intensely staged shootouts between professional assassins and their targets that fans have come to expect in the John Wick movie franchise as well as introducing some new, darkly compelling characters who inhabit this underground world.”

In other Starz news, the network set premiere dates for several of its upcoming series, including Howard’s End (April 8), Vida and Sweetbitter (May 6).

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.