A script from a relatively unknown British writer has sparked a major Hollywood story. In a heated bidding war, the independent studio A24 paid a seven-figure sum to secure an erotic thriller television series. The deal has put Nicole Kidman in early discussions to take a lead role.
The project comes from writer and actor Dylan Brady. His untitled spec script quickly became one of the most wanted in town, attracting nine serious offers from top companies like Netflix, Amazon, Apple, FX, and Peacock. Before any of those streamers could finalize their bids, A24 moved quickly over a single weekend, taking the project off the market with a preemptive offer worth over a million dollars.
This deal continues a successful creative partnership. Kidman recently starred in A24’s film Babygirl, an erotic thriller that earned her critical praise and performed well financially. The new series would mark another step in the genre’s return to popularity, with several similar projects now in development across different studios.
Inside The High-Stakes Plot Of The New Series
The story is set in the competitive world of Hollywood and follows a clever, risky plan that goes wrong. A struggling actor named Jacob gets a job as a live-in nanny for a powerful producer and her famous movie star husband. Seeing an opportunity, Jacob plots to seduce the couple to gain access to their elite industry network and connections.
However, the couple he is trying to manipulate are not easy targets. Jacob soon discovers he is not the only one playing games, and his attempt to exploit the situation leads him into a trap far more complex and dangerous than he imagined. The logline describes him becoming “ensnared in a far more dangerous game”.
Brady has said his idea was partly inspired by a friend’s real-life experience working for a wealthy, high-profile couple. For the script’s tone and style, he looked to classic thrillers. He has cited the intense dynamics of Fatal Attraction, the mysterious, secretive world of Eyes Wide Shut, and the dark Hollywood story of Sunset Boulevard as key influences.
A Fresh Take On The Erotic Thriller Genre
A major reason the script generated so much excitement is its modern perspective on a classic genre. In a previous interview, Brady explained his goal was to challenge and refresh the traditional formulas of erotic thrillers.
“Erotic thrillers have historically always been very heterosexual, and it’s the marital unit that is the hero that has to be preserved at all costs from an evil slut, who threatens that unity,” Brady told Deadline. “I thought about what this looks like in 2025. What if the slut is the hero and there is something rotten in the marriage? I wanted to break form and put a queer lens on it.”
This approach flips the usual narrative. Instead of the outsider being a villain who threatens a marriage, the outsider becomes the main character the audience follows. The story asks questions about the health and reality of the powerful couple’s relationship, suggesting there might be something “rotten” within it from the start. Industry reports have called the concept a “reverse Fatal Attraction”.
The Meteoric Rise Of Writer Dylan Brady
The story behind the writer is almost as remarkable as the plot of his script. Dylan Brady is a British actor in his twenties with just one produced writing credit to his name—an episode of the 2023 Netflix series Everything Now. His primary work has been in front of the camera, with roles in shows like Andor, The Diplomat, and Mary & George.
His big break came when his spec script, then titled Discretion, was featured on the 2025 Brit List. This list is the UK and Ireland’s equivalent of Hollywood’s famous Black List, highlighting the best unproduced screenplays. Brady’s script earned the number two spot, immediately putting him on the radar of producers and agents.
The recognition led to U.S. representation and, just a few months later, the whirlwind auction for his work. The industry’s strong interest in a newcomer was clear; before the bidding war ended, 27 meetings had been scheduled for Brady with various studios, networks, and producers eager to hear his vision for the series. His friend, actress Nicola Coughlan, celebrated his success on social media, reposting the news with the caption, “Just incredible @dylbrady. ILY”.
Nicole Kidman’s Growing Partnership With A24
Nicole Kidman’s potential involvement provides a major boost to the project’s profile. While talks are still in the early stages and she has not officially signed on, her collaboration with A24 makes strong creative sense.
Their previous film together, Babygirl, directed by Halina Reijn, was both a critical and commercial success. Released in 2024, the film earned a 76% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and grossed over $50 million globally. Kidman’s performance won her the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival, cementing the film’s prestige.
This new series would be her second project with A24, but Kidman is already connected to another A24-produced series with a similar name. She is set to star with Elle Fanning in a legal thriller series called Discretion for Paramount+. To avoid confusion, Brady’s newly acquired project will be given a new title as it moves forward in development.
The Competitive Bidding War And A24’s Strategy
The process that led to A24’s acquisition highlights the competitive market for high-concept material. When Brady’s agents at UTA sent the script to buyers, it immediately triggered a multi-party battle.
At least nine formal offers were made from a who’s who of top streaming platforms and networks. Brady flew from the UK to Los Angeles on February 6, 2026, to begin a week of meetings to discuss his plans for the series. However, he never got to start those meetings.
On the morning of Saturday, February 7, while final bids were still coming in from giants like Netflix and Amazon, A24 made its decisive move. The studio presented a substantial preemptive offer—a tactic where a buyer makes a high bid to end an auction early—and took the project off the market entirely. This aggressive play is a signature strategy for A24, which used a similar approach to win another spec script, Trigger Point, in a seven-way bidding war the previous year.
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What Happens Next For The Project
The project is now in early development at A24. The first steps will involve finalizing the deal with Kidman and likely attaching other high-profile actors to the cast. The search for a director and showrunner will also begin, key roles that will shape the series’ final tone and style.
The script itself will also undergo creative tweaks and refinements as it moves from a spec script to a production-ready series. The most immediate change will be a new title, moving on from the original Discretion to something unique.
This new series joins a growing wave of erotic thrillers returning to screens. Other notable projects in development include Hancock Park at Netflix, Teach Me at Peacock starring Mandy Moore, and Fifth Season starring Regé-Jean Page. With its fresh perspective, buzzy script, and potential star power, A24’s latest acquisition is poised to be a standout entry in the genre’s comeback.
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