Netflix continues to make its competitors quake in their boots by signing another major talent to a multi-year deal. Having previously signed Kenya Barris (Black-ish), Ryan Murphy (Glee, American Horror Story) and Shonda Rhimes (Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal) to huge deals, the streaming giant has now inked Gravity Falls creator Alex Hirsch to a big contract.
Netflix continues to make a big push towards animation, and bringing Hirsch on board is certainly a giant step in that direction. He will reportedly develop new series as well as feature films for the platform, but will switch from children to adult animation.
Hirsch is best known for creating the cult animated series Gravity Falls, which aired on Disney Channel, garnered critical acclaim, and reeled in viewers of all ages. It was such a success that when he decided to end the series after just two seasons, explaining that he wanted the show to go out at its highest point, there was mass disappointment.
Hopefully this deal will help quell some of that disappointment, as having Hirsch on board to create new animated content may allow him even more freedom than he was given at Disney.
Netflix has previously cited adult animation as a major subscriber driver, having already found big success with shows such as BoJack Horseman, F Is For Family, and Big Mouth. Disenchantment, a new series from The Simpsons and Futurama creator Matt Groening, debuted on the service a few weeks ago.
“Alex is an imaginative storyteller with new ideas who’s quickly developed a reputation as a fresh new voice in animation”, said Cindy Holland, VP of Original Content for Netflix. “We couldn’t be more excited to work with him as we continue expanding our adult animated slate”.
Hirsch himself added: “I couldn’t be more excited to join the amazing roster of talent coming to Netflix. Plus it couldn’t hurt to be on The Algorithm’s good side before The Singularity hits. Awesome things are coming!”
#Peace.Love.AlexHirsch
