Neil Gaiman's DEAD BOY DETECTIVES Series Moves From HBO Max to Netflix Because it Didn't Fit into James Gunn's Plan
A series adaptation of DC Comics’ Dead Boy Detectives has been in the works at HBO Max for almost a year. But, there’s been a big change as the project has now moved to Netflix because the project didn’t fit in with what James Gunn and Peter Safran are planning for DC Studios.
THR reports: “Producers Warner Bros. Television shopped the drama after sources say the series didn’t fit with the new chapter of content that DC executives James Gunn and Peter Safran are building for the comic book powerhouse. That plan includes five inter-connected shows that will live alongside Peacemaker on HBO Max. Also contributing to the show’s move between platforms is the fact that HBO Max would not have been able to market the show until 2024, with execs at the streamer blessing producers to take the show out elsewhere.”
The supernatural series “follows a pair of ghostly detectives as they investigate murders related to the supernatural.” The story will explore “loss, grief, and death through the lens of Edwin Payne and Charles Rowland, two dead British teenagers, and their very alive friend, Crystal Palace. So, it’s a lot like a vintage detective series — only darker and on acid.” It’s explained that Charles and Edwin “decided not to enter the afterlife in order to stay on earth and investigate crimes involving the supernatural.”
The series stars George Rexstrew and Jayden Revri as Dead Boy Detectives Edwin Payne and Charles Rowland, and Kassius Nelson (Last Night in Soho) as Crystal Palace. Additional cast members include Briana Cuoco (The Flight Attendant) as Jenny the Butcher, Ruth Connell (Supernatural) as the Night Nurse, Yuyu Kitamura (The Expatriates) as Niko,Jenn Lyon (Claws) as Esther, and Lukas Gage as the Cat King, described as “a charming trickster and itinerant cat spirit, who takes keen interest in Edwin.”
The pilot for the series was written by Steve Yockey and he also serves as executive producer and co-showrunner along with Beth Schwartz. Jeremy Carver also executive produces along with Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, and Leigh London Redman of Berlanti Productions. Lee Toland Krieger directed and executive-produced the pilot.