Tim Story Inks First-Look TV Deal With eOne, Taps Lynn Barrie As Head Of TV For The Story Company

deadline.com:

EXCLUSIVE: Entertainment One has entered a first-look television deal with top film and TV director-producer Tim Story (Ride Along, Think Like a Man franchises) and his The Story Company production company.Through the deal, Story will develop television series for broadcast, cable and streaming.

He has hired former Freeform head of development Lynn Barrie to serve as The Story Company’s Head of Television and oversee the pact with eOne.“Tim is a remarkably talented director and producer who has created some of Hollywood’s most beloved films,” said Michael Lombardo, eOne’s President of Global Television. “We’re delighted to be partnering with him as he continues his exciting expansion into television and look forward to creating even more impactful projects together.”Lombardo and Story previously worked together at HBO where Story had a first-look deal while the premium network was run by then-President of Programming Lombardo.“Michael and I have a long history and it feels so great to be back in business again,” said Story, CEO of the Tim Story Company. “I believe with the team that I’ve assembled we can deliver some great programming.”The deal with Story fits into the overall/first-look deal strategy shift Lombardo implemented when he joined eOne in 2020.

Inheriting a roster consisting entirely of non-writing producers, he put a focus on signing deal with talent — writers, directors and actors.

Having talent in-house at a time of a great proliferation of content and fierce competition that is limiting access to creative auspices allows for packaging projects that are easier to sell.Story is coming off a run as an executive producer of ABC’s music-themed freshman drama series Queens whose pilot he directed.