Ryan Coogler Moves TV Deal From Disney to Netflix

Proximity Media Television, the banner founded by Ryan Coogler, his wife Zinzi Coogler, and Sev Ohanian, has signed a multi-year deal to develop series exclusively for Netflix. Proximity’s prior overall TV deal at Disney expired earlier this year.

Coogler won the Oscar this year for writing Sinners, which also received a nomination for his directing as well as in Best Picture.

“We started Proximity Media with a simple goal: to tell event-driven stories that bring people in close proximity with often overlooked subjects. As we continue to expand Proximity’s television business, we’re thrilled to partner with Netflix, a company that has consistently demonstrated its commitment to distinctive creators and original storytelling,” the Cooglers and Ohanian said in a joint statement. “We look forward to working alongside Bela, Jinny, Nne and the entire Netflix team as we bring stories to television audiences around the world.”

“Proximity Media has built a remarkable reputation for championing visionary creators and producing stories that resonate deeply with audiences worldwide,” said Jinny Howe, Netflix’s head of U.S. and Canada scripted series. “The company’s founders — Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, and Sev Ohanian —have cultivated an award-winning television division that continues to push the boundaries of storytelling. We are excited to welcome the entire Proximity team to Netflix and look forward to bringing their next slate of groundbreaking series to life alongside Nne Ebong and our studio team.”

Proximity Media Television created Marvel Studios’ Ironheart (Disney+), National Geographic docuseries Hurricane Katrina: A Race Against Time, and the animated series Eyes of Wakanda (Disney+). Vice president of television Simone Harris is currently overseeing the production of pilots for the new The X-Files series starring Danielle Deadwyler and Himesh Patel, as well as the live-action adaptation of Southern Bastards, starring Kevin Bacon, Erin Kellyman and Tim McGraw.

Ryan Coogler is a writer, director and producer. His film Sinners was the highest-grossing original feature film of 2025, amassing over $365 million at the global box office. Coogler’s Black Panther was the highest grossing domestic release of 2018. Coogler also wrote and directed sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever; additional directing credits include Creed and his debut feature Fruitvale Station.

Zinzi Coogler and Ohanian were producers on Sinners and executive producers on Ironheart, Judas and the Black Messiah, Space Jam a New Legacy, and Creed III. Ohanian co-wrote and produced Searching with his wife and producing partner Natalie Qasabian and director Aneesh Chaganty. He also co-wrote and produced Run as well as Missing, the sequel to Searching.