Oscar-nominated actor Adam Driver is returning to television for the first time since Girls ended in 2017, set to star in Netflix’s high-stakes hostage thriller Rabbit, Rabbit. The streaming giant has granted the series a straight-to-series order following what industry insiders described as a “highly competitive” bidding war for the project. Written by Peter Craig (Top Gun: Maverick, The Batman) and directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Philip Barantini (Adolescence, Boiling Point), the series is described as a modern take on Dog Day Afternoon, following an escaped convict who takes hostages at a truck stop in southern Illinois, triggering an intense psychological showdown with an FBI negotiator trained in “tactical empathy.”
Netflix Wins Competitive Bidding War for Rabbit, Rabbit
Netflix has secured Rabbit, Rabbit with a rare straight-to-series order after what Deadline described as “major interest” from multiple parties across the industry. The script, written by Peter Craig and distributed using the Embershot software platform—which allows buyers to view material exclusively through the app while providing writers insights on who accessed the script and when—generated significant buzz among buyers. This technology gained prominence after director Zach Cregger revealed he used it to distribute the script for his horror hit Weapons.
According to Deadline, “It is believed that Netflix became interested in the project early in its development and opted for a straight-to-series order,” suggesting the streamer moved quickly to secure the package before competitors could mount serious challenges. The confidence to greenlight the series without a traditional pilot demonstrates Netflix’s faith in the creative team and Driver’s star power following his acclaimed film career.
The Plot: A Modern Dog Day Afternoon
Rabbit, Rabbit follows an escaped convict who, when cornered by law enforcement at a truck stop in southern Illinois, takes hostages in a desperate bid to negotiate his freedom. However, what begins as a tense standoff quickly spirals into what the official synopsis describes as “an unmanageable social experiment with his captives—and an emotional poker match with a veteran FBI Crisis Negotiator trained in ‘tactical empathy.'”
The series is explicitly described as being “in the vein of Dog Day Afternoon,” Sidney Lumet’s 1975 masterpiece starring Al Pacino as a bank robber whose heist transforms into a media circus and hostage crisis. Like that film, Rabbit, Rabbit promises to explore the psychological dynamics between captor and captive while examining how high-pressure situations reveal character and force impossible moral choices. The “tactical empathy” element suggests sophisticated cat-and-mouse dynamics between Driver’s convict and the FBI negotiator attempting to defuse the situation.
Creative Team: Craig and Barantini Unite
Peter Craig serves as creator, writer, and showrunner for Rabbit, Rabbit, bringing credentials that include co-writing Top Gun: Maverick (which earned him an Oscar nomination), The Batman, The Town, and Apple TV+’s Dope Thief starring Brian Tyree Henry. Craig will write all episodes and executive produce through his Night Owl banner, which he co-runs with producer Bryan Unkeless. His track record of delivering character-driven genre material makes him an ideal match for this project’s psychological complexity.
Philip Barantini will direct the series, bringing his distinctive visual style honed through his acclaimed work on Netflix’s Adolescence, which earned him an Emmy Award. Barantini is renowned for his innovative one-shot storytelling approach, demonstrated in the British film Boiling Point (starring Stephen Graham) and its follow-up series. His ability to create sustained tension through long takes and claustrophobic framing should prove invaluable for a hostage thriller that depends on escalating psychological pressure. Barantini will also executive produce through his It’s All Made Up Productions company alongside partner Samantha Beddoe.
Adam Driver’s Television Return
For Adam Driver, Rabbit, Rabbit marks a significant television return following his breakout role as Adam Sackler on Lena Dunham’s HBO comedy Girls (2012-2017), which earned him three Emmy nominations. Since the show concluded, Driver has focused exclusively on film, building one of the most impressive résumés in contemporary cinema. His performances in Marriage Story (2019) and BlacKkKlansman (2018) earned him Oscar nominations for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, respectively, while his role as Kylo Ren in the Star Wars sequel trilogy (2015-2019) made him a global star.
Driver’s recent filmography includes Ferrari (2023), 65 (2023), House of Gucci (2021), The Last Duel (2021), and White Noise (2022). His return to television with Rabbit, Rabbit follows news that he’ll also star in Apple TV+’s The Dealer alongside Jessica Chastain, a drama set in the art world. These projects suggest Driver is strategically selecting prestige television opportunities that offer creative challenges comparable to his film work.
Production Details and Executive Producers
Rabbit, Rabbit is produced by MRC TV, the studio behind Netflix’s Emmy-winning crime saga Ozark. The production pedigree suggests substantial resources and commitment to quality befitting Driver’s involvement. In addition to Craig, Barantini, Beddoe, and Unkeless, Driver himself will serve as an executive producer, indicating significant creative input beyond his on-screen performance.
Production is expected to begin in 2026, though Netflix has not announced a specific start date or premiere window. Given the straight-to-series order and the involvement of established talent, the series could potentially debut in late 2026 or 2027, depending on Driver’s schedule and post-production timeline. No additional casting beyond Driver has been announced, though the FBI negotiator role represents a crucial second lead that will require an actor capable of matching Driver’s intensity.
Netflix’s Continued Investment in Prestige Drama
The Rabbit, Rabbit acquisition represents Netflix’s ongoing commitment to premium limited series and event programming featuring A-list talent. Recent examples include The Diplomat, Ripley, 3 Body Problem, and Baby Reindeer—all critically acclaimed series designed to generate cultural conversation while attracting subscribers. The willingness to grant straight-to-series orders for projects with established creatives demonstrates Netflix’s confidence in backing proven talent rather than relying solely on algorithmic testing.
NewsBytes noted that Rabbit, Rabbit “scored a straight-to-series order from Netflix” following production team enthusiasm, with India Today emphasizing the series promises “a tense psychological showdown.” This type of character-driven thriller aligns with Netflix’s strategy of offering diverse genre programming while maintaining quality standards that attract award attention and critical praise.
What the Series Means for Driver’s Career
For Adam Driver, Rabbit, Rabbit represents an opportunity to explore serialized storytelling’s unique possibilities while working with filmmakers known for pushing creative boundaries. The hostage thriller format allows Driver to showcase the intensity and emotional complexity that have defined his best film performances, while the series structure provides space to develop character psychology across multiple episodes rather than the compressed timeline of feature filmmaking.
TVLine noted that Driver “first broke out as Adam on Lena Dunham’s HBO comedy ‘Girls’ before launching a film career that has seen him star in the latest Star Wars film trilogy and earn a pair of Oscar nominations.” His return to television at this career stage signals confidence that prestige streaming series now offer creative opportunities equivalent to theatrical features, particularly when working with writers and directors of Craig and Barantini’s caliber.
Rabbit, Rabbit is currently in pre-production at Netflix, with Adam Driver attached to star and executive produce alongside creator Peter Craig and director Philip Barantini. The hostage thriller promises intense psychological drama, sophisticated character work, and the kind of edge-of-your-seat tension that made Dog Day Afternoon an enduring classic. For Driver fans and thriller enthusiasts alike, this series represents one of Netflix’s most anticipated upcoming projects.
