Jeff Davis, the Gay Creator of ‘Teen Wolf’ and ‘Criminal Minds,’ Signs a Huge Development Deal with Fox Entertainment
Share
EARLIER THIS year, Jeff Davis announced that he would be helming two new intriguing projects: one a reimagining of the NBC Rod Sterling anthology series Night Gallery and the other a Fox series adaptation of horror novelist Dean Koontz’s Strangers. A huge Koontz fan, Davis says the author had a great influence on his own writing.
Jeff Davis has signed a direct, exclusive, broadcast-only overall deal with Fox. Under the agreement, the Criminal Minds and Teen Wolf creator will develop scripted dramas for the Fox network in what marks Fox Entertainment’s first direct, overall term deal.
“Jeff is a singular talent with a unique voice. His ability to create an incredibly wide range of shows – from character-driven procedurals like Criminal Minds to pop culture-piercing coming-of-age stories like Teen Wolf – is what makes this deal so significant,” said Michael Thorn, President, Entertainment, Fox Entertainment. “As the company’s first direct overall deal, it has even greater significance because it underscores our commitment to being in business with the industry’s best creators – and offering them flexibility and backend, both rare commodities in today’s marketplace.”
It’s exciting to think of the possibilities that Davis can bring, especially since Davis has been vocal about the issue of coming out in Hollywood, which he told The Advocate earlier this year, is still an issue for actors.
“Mindhunter was one of my favorite shows of last year and had Jonathan Groff, an out gay actor, playing the straight male lead. No one blinked,” he explains. “Yet, many gay actors I know still don’t believe they’ll get the roles they want or [think] that they’ll only be considered for gay roles [if they come out]. The industry still believes that coming out is a career killer. I can name 10 gay actors right now who are not publicly out. It’s their choice. But I keep hoping they’ll take that step.”
READ THE FULL DEADLINE STORY HERE.
