Canadian film and TV production company Muse Entertainment and Toronto-based independent magazine The Walrus announced Monday a first-look development partnership to adapt original reporting and longform journalism into premium documentary and unscripted programming.
The partnership provides Muse Entertainment with exclusive early access to unpublished stories slated for future publication in The Walrus, as well as a first right of negotiation to adapt select reporting into documentary and unscripted projects. The collaboration spans a range of subject matter, including investigative journalism, social issues, culture, politics, science and business.
Development discussions on several potential projects are already underway, the companies said in a press release.
Montreal-headquartered Muse Entertainment said its partnership with The Walrus marks the latest step in the studio’s continued expansion of its documentary and factual programming slate.
“As we continue to expand Muse Entertainment’s unscripted business, we’re focused on building a pipeline of distinctive, high-quality stories with the potential to resonate globally,” Jonas Prupas, managing director of unscripted at Muse Entertainment, said in the press release. “The Walrus has earned a reputation for exceptional journalism, and this partnership gives us a unique opportunity to identify compelling stories early and develop them for audiences across film and television.”
“Muse has built a world-class reputation for turning great ideas into unforgettable programming,” Carmine Starnino, editor-in-chief of The Walrus, said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to partner with them to expand the reach and impact of our journalism.”
Over nearly 30 years, Muse Entertainment has been known for producing acclaimed scripted series such as The Kennedys, The Pillars of the Earth, Ben Hur, Tut, Bellevue, Coroner, Three Pines, The Family Next Door and Sullivan’s Crossing. Its expanded slate of documentaries and unscripted programming includes The Unsolved Murder of Beverly Lynn Smith (Amazon), For Heaven’s Sake (Paramount+), Canada Cup ’87 (Bell Media, TVO), Nose Deep (Bell Media, Sky UK, Abacus), Doula (CBC), Running Smoke (CBC), Lost Boy (NFB, CBC) and Stress Test (TVO).
As part of its strategy to scale its premium factual slate internationally and deepen relationships with key commissioning partners, Muse Entertainment in February hired Jennifer Harkness as its new senior vice president of global development and partnerships, based in the company’s Los Angeles office. In this role, Harkness focuses on the development of premium documentary and unscripted content while cultivating strategic partnerships with Canadian, U.S. and international broadcasters, streamers and platforms. Harkness joined Muse from Blue Ant Studios, where she served as senior vice president of development and production, overseeing development and executive producing a slate of premium documentary and factual series for leading global broadcasters and platforms.
