Credit: ABCShonda Rhimes, creator of “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal,” is leaving her longtime home at ABC. Rhimes has signed a multi-year deal to create and produce new projects for Netflix.
Rhimes and her production company, Shondaland, have been with ABC Studios for 15 years. “Grey’s Anatomy,” which is about to enter its 14th season, will remain on ABC. The upcoming “Grey’s” spinoff and new series “For the People” will also remain on the network, along with “Scandal” and “How to Get Away With Murder.”
Shondaland’s popular series have given ABC a major boost in ratings over the years, and led to the creation of a powerhouse Thursday night lineup dubbed “TGIT.”
This marks the first overall deal for Netflix. The company is currently in discussion with Disney about the possibility of streaming Lucasfilm and Marvel movies after Disney creates its own streaming service in 2019.
“Shondaland’s move to Netflix is the result of a shared plan Ted Sarandos (Chief Content Officer at Netflix) and I built based on my vision for myself as a storyteller and for the evolution of my company,” Rhimes said in a statement. “Ted provides a clear, fearless space for creators at Netflix. He understood what I was looking for — the opportunity to build a vibrant new storytelling home for writers with the unique creative freedom and instantaneous global reach provided by Netflix’s singular sense of innovation. The future of Shondaland at Netflix has limitless possibilities.”