Jensen Ackles is set to headline a high-profile adaptation of John Sandford’s crime novels, with production on the series beginning this month — a timely development for fans of prestige crime drama and for streaming rivalries as platforms chase proven intellectual property. The series, titled “Rules of Prey,” will stream on MGM+ and reunites a familiar genre lead with a bestselling source material.
Ackles will play Lucas Davenport, a brilliant but unconventional investigator who has left formal law enforcement behind. The character is drawn back into the field when a string of calculated murders appears designed to target him personally, launching a cerebral showdown between detective and killer.
The adaptation is led by creator and showrunner Bruce Terris, who will also executive-produce alongside Ackles. The first season is planned as an eight-episode run, with cameras rolling in Toronto this month.
What viewers can expect
The series promises a psychological focus rather than a procedural rote chase. Davenport’s methods — at once methodical and willing to bend rules — set up a moral conflict that the new show intends to explore in depth, as he deciphers an adversary who treats their confrontation like a game.
For Ackles, the role marks a return to serialized genre television after his long run on Supernatural, and for MGM+ it represents another investment in adapting established crime franchises to attract an audience already familiar with the novels’ tone and stakes.
- Title: Rules of Prey
- Source: John Sandford’s “Prey” novels
- Lead: Jensen Ackles as Lucas Davenport
- Showrunner: Bruce Terris
- Episodes: Eight in season one
- Production: Begins this month in Toronto
- Where to watch: MGM+
MGM+ executives framed the project as a blend of psychological suspense and character-driven storytelling that aligns with the original books’ appeal. The streamer is aiming to convert Sandford’s built-in readership into viewers while leveraging Ackles’ star power to broaden the series’ reach.
There’s no release date yet. But with production under way, expect casting announcements and the first glimpses of the show in the coming months — news that will matter to subscribers tracking new true-crime and thriller offerings as streaming services expand their lineup.
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Hello, I’m Beckett. I cover series and show news for you to make your evenings more captivating.