Paramount+ Bets big on Legal Thriller ‘Discretion’ in First Major Greenlight Under Skydance Ownership
Paramount+ is signaling a new era of enterprising original programming with the straight-to-series order of Discretion, a legal thriller poised to become a flagship series for the streamer. The project, spearheaded by newly appointed Direct-to-Consumer chair Cindy Holland, represents the first official greenlight since Paramount’s acquisition by Skydance and underscores a commitment to high-profile content.
Holland, who previously revolutionized Netflix’s content strategy, is actively seeking projects that resonate with her established tastes – the Taylor Sheridan universe and Star Trek while actively seeking compelling new stories.
Discretion, penned by The Husbands author Chandler Baker, boasts an impressive cast led by Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning. The eight-episode series centers on Lenny (Fanning), a summer associate at a Dallas law firm who uncovers a disturbing pattern of NDAs concealing a dark truth. Her investigation takes a hazardous turn when she realizes she’s also bound by the same agreement, putting her in direct conflict with Sharon (Kidman), a powerful partner at the firm. The narrative promises to explore complex questions of power, secrets, and the cost of silence.
The acquisition of Discretion was a competitive battle, with A24 fielding seven offers, including multiple straight-to-series commitments. While paramount+’s bid wasn’t necessarily the highest, according to sources, the project’s alignment with Holland’s vision proved decisive. this move mirrors a recent strategy employed by Paramount’s film leadership, which quickly secured High Side, a movie package featuring James Mangold and Timothée Chalamet, shortly after the merger.
Holland’s success in landing Discretion is widely attributed to her established relationships within the industry, forged over 18 years at Netflix. These connections where also instrumental in securing a blockbuster film and TV deal with Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer. A senior official noted that holland and EVP, Head of Originals Jane Wiseman, have been actively seeking premium, female-driven dramas to complement the streamer’s existing, male-skewing content.
The speed at which Discretion moved from concept to series order – less than four months from the acquisition of Baker’s unpublished short story – is a testament to A24’s efficiency and the project’s inherent appeal. A24 secured the rights to the story with a seven-figure purchase price, plus an additional million dollars for script and development, marking one of the largest IP sales of the year for an unpublished work. The studio quickly assembled a powerhouse team, including Oscar and Emmy-winning actress Kidman, Emmy-nominated Fanning, and Oscar and Emmy-nominated writer Susannah Grant (Unbelievable).
this marks a significant shift for Paramount+,as Holland intends to broaden the streamer’s sourcing beyond its sibling studios. “As we want to be programming the best stories nonetheless of what the producing entity is,” she explained, signaling a willingness to collaborate with outside suppliers like A24.
The project also benefits from the established rapport between key players. Jordan Hipps, whose close relationship with Holland and Wiseman reportedly helped steer Discretion to Paramount+, previously played a crucial role in bringing House of Cards to Netflix. Grant and Holland have a successful history together, having collaborated on the netflix limited series Unbelievable. Filming is currently slated to begin in 2026.
Discretion joins A24’s growing slate of acclaimed series, including Euphoria (HBO), beef (Netflix), Overcompensating (Prime Video), and Margo’s got Money Troubles (Apple). The series promises to deliver a compelling and timely exploration of power dynamics and the hidden truths within the legal world, solidifying Paramount+’s position as a major player in the streaming landscape.
