Shonda Rhimes is working on her first project since landing her new deal with Netflix.
Netflix and Shondaland have both obtained the rights to the New York Magazine article, “How Anna Delvey Tricked New York’s Party People,” by Jessica Pressler. Rhimes is set to write the series.
The New York Magazine story is about Delvey, a New York socialite who became widely known for pretending to be a rich German heiress in New York’s high society, where she scammed people and financial establishments to bankroll her luxurious lifestyle. She is now being held without bond in New York’s Rikers Island prison, per Variety.
Rhimes’ multi-year deal with Netflix was announced in August, and includes her Shondaland production company and longtime production partner Betsy Beers. Rhimes was previously with ABC Studios for 15 years, and will still have a hand in her award-winning series Grey's Anatomy and How to Get Away with Murder among others, which will all remain at ABC. However, Rhimes’ creative future lies exclusively with Netflix.
“Shonda Rhimes is one of the greatest storytellers in the history of television,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos in a statement regarding Rhimes' deal. “Her work is gripping, inventive, pulse-pounding, heart-stopping, taboo-breaking television at its best. I’ve gotten the chance to know Shonda and she’s a true Netflixer at heart—she loves TV and films, she cares passionately about her work, and she delivers for her audience. We’re so excited to welcome her to Netflix.”
