Nahnatchka Khan Signs First-Look Deal with Universal TV for ‘Killer Potential’

EXCLUSIVE: Nahnatchka Khan is extending her relationship with Universal Television, the studio behind her upcoming Peacock comedy series Laid. After a successful four-year overall deal with Universal TV, Khan has now secured a first-look pact with the studio, which is part of Universal Studio Group.

Under this multi-year agreement, Khan will continue to create, develop, write, supervise, and produce new projects for network, cable, and streaming through her production company, Fierce Baby Productions. One of the projects in development is the series Killer Potential, based on Hannah Deitch’s upcoming debut novel.

Fierce Baby Productions and Universal TV won the rights to Deitch’s book, set to be published in March 2025 by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins, after a competitive multi-studio bidding war. Khan and Deitch are slated to co-write the adaptation. The story centers around two unlikely fugitives: an overeducated and financially struggling SAT tutor who discovers her wealthy employers brutally murdered in their backyard and a mute woman found trapped in the walls of the mansion.

Killer Potential aligns with Fierce Baby Productions’ mission to amplify new voices and perspectives in comedy and drama. Jennifer Carreras is the company’s Head of Television, while Chloe Yellin leads the Film division. The team is presently involved in the production of Laid. Khan and Sally Bradford McKenna are co-showrunners, writers, and executive producers for the show, with Khan directing six of the eight episodes.

Set to premiere later in the year, Laid is based on an Australian series created by Marieke Hardy and Kirsty Fisher, and produced by Liz Watts. The show stars Stephanie Hsu as a woman who discovers her former lovers are dying in unusual ways. To move forward, she must revisit her past relationships. Davis Entertainment and Hsu also serve as executive producers.

On the film front, Khan recently directed the 2023 Amazon film Totally Killer, which was executive produced by Fierce Baby and debuted at #1 on Prime Video during its opening weekend. Additionally, Fierce Baby, alongside Davis Entertainment, is producing the romantic comedy Dial A for Aunties, which Netflix acquired after a bidding war. Khan is set to direct, working from a script by Natalie Krinsky.

Khan’s new deal with Universal TV comes at a time when first-look pacts are becoming a popular alternative to more expensive and restrictive overall agreements. During her previous overall deal, Khan was the creator, executive producer, and co-showrunner for NBC’s comedy series Young Rock, which chronicled the early years of Dwayne Johnson.

Before joining NBCUniversal, Khan created and executive produced ABC’s Fresh Off the Boat and Don’t Trust the B—- In Apartment 23. She is represented by UTA and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.

Source: Deadline