SPY SCHOOL TV Series in the Works at Disney+, Ryan Reynolds' Maximum Effort Producing
Disney+ has found its next young adult book series to adapt, and this one sounds like it could make for a seriously fun spy adventure.
Stuart Gibbs' bestselling Spy School novels are officially being turned into a TV series, with Ryan Reynolds' Maximum Effort producing alongside 20th Television.
If you've ever wondered what would happen if a regular kid accidentally found himself training to become a CIA agent, that's exactly the kind of ride this story delivers.
The series follows Ben Ripley, a teenager who's dreamed of working for the CIA for as long as he can remember. What starts as an invitation to attend a prestigious science magnet school quickly turns into something much bigger. The official logline reads:
“Ben Ripley may only be a teenager, but he’s already pegged his dream job: CIA or bust. Ben is not surprised when he is recruited for a magnet school with a focus on science—but he’s entirely shocked to discover that the school is a front for a CIA academy.”
It's a fun premise that blends comedy, action, gadgets, and espionage while throwing an ordinary kid into an extraordinary world.
Chris Fedak is writing the adaptation and will executive produce the series. Fans of Chuck should be especially excited, as Fedak co-created and showran that fan-favorite series, proving he knows how to balance humor, action, and spy thrills.
He also co-created and served as showrunner on Prodigal Son and Deception, and previously wrote Ambulance for director Michael Bay and star Jake Gyllenhaal.
Executive producer Emma Watts is also attached, while Reynolds' Maximum Effort continues expanding its television slate. The company, which has produced projects like The Adam Project and Welcome to Wrexham, is producing the series under its first-look deal with 20th Television. Gibbs is also on board as an executive producer.
The Spy School books have become a massive hit since the first novel was published in 2012. There are now 14 books in the series, with the newest installment, Spy School Goes East, arriving in October 2026. Altogether, the books have sold more than 12 million copies.
Gibbs has also created several other successful book series, including FunJungle, Charlie Thorne, Moon Base Alpha, and Once Upon a Tim. His writing credits also include the screenplays for See Spot Run, Replicate, and Showdown.
For Disney+, Spy School is another addition to an increasingly impressive lineup of YA adaptations. Percy Jackson and the Olympians is already heading into its third season, while live-action versions of Eragon and Animorphs are also in development.
This feels like a property that could be a perfect fit for Disney+. The books have built a huge following over the last decade, the concept is packed with opportunities for fun action and comedy, and Fedak seems like a great choice to bring Ben Ripley's adventures to life.