Shonda Rhimes Leaving ABC Studios, Signs Multi-Year Deal with Netflix

Shonda Rhimes; Scandal; How To Get Away with Murder; Grey's Anatomy; ABC TV shows; Netflix TV shows: (canceled or renewed?)

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Big news in Shondaland. Recently, it was announced TV mega-producer Shonda Rhimes is leaving ABC for a multi-year deal with Netflix.

Rhimes executive produces several top-rated series on ABC, including Scandal, Grey’s Anatomy, and How to Get Away with Murder. She has also produced the cancelled ABC TV shows Private Practice, The Catch, and Still Star-Crossed.

So what does this move mean for Rhimes’ ABC dramas? According to Netflix’s announcement, Scandal, Grey’s Anatomy, and How to Get Away with Murder will continue on ABC and continue to be produced by Rhimes and her production company, Shondaland. Though, Scandal is headed into its seventh and final season this fall (October 5th).

Read Netflix‘s full announcement below:

Hollywood, CA – August 13, 2017 — Prolific writer, producer and television hitmaker Shonda Rhimes is bringing her Shondaland production company to Netflix under a multi-year deal to produce new series and other projects. Longtime producing partner, Betsy Beers makes the move to Netflix as well.

The move further unites Rhimes with Netflix. While Shondaland’s award-winning series such as Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder air in the U.S. on ABC — and will continue to — How to Get Away with Murder streams everywhere else in the world on Netflix, with Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal available on Netflix in many regions as well.

“Shonda Rhimes is one of the greatest storytellers in the history of television,” said Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer, Netflix. “Her work is gripping, inventive, pulse-pounding, heart-stopping, taboo-breaking television at its best. I’ve gotten the chance to know Shonda and she’s a true Netflixer at heart — she loves TV and films, she cares passionately about her work, and she delivers for her audience. We’re so excited to welcome her to Netflix.”

“Shondaland’s move to Netflix is the result of a shared plan Ted Sarandos and I built based on my vision for myself as a storyteller and for the evolution of my company,” said Rhimes. “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.

Our current shows will continue to thrive on ABC and Shondaland will be there every step of the way. I could not have asked for a better home to begin my career. I continue to be grateful to work with so many talented people – especially our studio gladiator Patrick Moran and our most powerful and brilliant champion Channing Dungey.

Starting today, we are thrilled to begin creating new Shondaland stories with Netflix. Everyone at Shondaland is honored to expand both our audience and our creative identity with Ted and the entire team at Netflix.”

Said Beers, “I am a huge fan of the talented team and amazing programming at Netflix. The ability to create content for our new partners is an exciting challenge. I am grateful to everyone at ABC for their continued support and I look forward to beginning this next chapter at Netflix.”