“Heated Rivalry” is undoubtedly the biggest TV sensation of the past few months, so it’s no surprise Netflix wants in on the action. And the streamer will get it, in a manner of speaking, as they’ve tapped the show’s creator, Jacob Tierney, to write, direct and executive produce the upcoming series “Alexander.”
Based on Annabel Lyon‘s 2009 debut novel “The Golden Mean,” the show will follow the Athenian philosopher Aristotle’s arrival in Macedonia to tutor a young Alexander the Great, a volatile prince set on forging a world-expanding empire. The bond between mentor and pupil takes centerstage, but there’s also plenty of other narrative components: an empire on the wane, forbidden love, courtly machinations, and epic conquest, to name a few. Michael Costigan and Jason Bateman will executive-produce the series via Aggregate Films, alongside Brendan Brady, who will do so via Accent Aigu Entertainment.
“I fell in love with Annabel Lyon’s book “The Golden Mean” years ago and have been dreaming of telling this story ever since,” Tierney said in a press statement. “Brendan and I couldn’t be more excited to be partnering with Aggregate and Netflix to bring this insanely compelling world to life.”
Jinny Howe, Netflix Head Of US and Canada Scripted Series, had a press statement of her own: “Jacob Tierney is one of the most exciting, in-demand creative voices working today, and we are thrilled to work with him on “Alexander.” We were immediately captivated by his vision for adapting Annabel Lyon’s acclaimed novel. This series reimagines the classic power struggle between mentor and protégé with a raw, modern energy that feels both epic and incredibly intimate. This high-stakes drama is poised to deeply resonate with our global audience, and we look forward to bringing it to life with the deftly talented Jason Bateman and the Aggregate Films team.”
Alexander the Great is one of ancient history’s most prominent larger-than-life figures, a shrewd tactician and master of military strategy who conquered large swathes of Asia Minor, Syria, and Egypt, creating the largest empire ever assembled. But Alexander’s story has proved difficult for Hollywood to adapt to the screen. The most notable recent attempt, Oliver Stone‘s 2004 film “Alexander,” starring Colin Farrell as the Macedonian, was a critical and commercial disaster, although it’s worth noting that Stone’s later cuts of his epic have a bit of a cult following. We’ll see how Tierney manages with Lyon’s help, focusing on one particular era of the figure’s life.
As for whether “Alexander” will hinder the shooting schedule of Tierney’s current hit show, not to worry, “Heated Rivalry” fans: Season 2 of the steamy hockey show shoots in this summer and eyes an April 2027 premiere.
