Ryan Murphy isn’t stupid. After a long term deal that’s been very good for Fox and for him, he could see the writing on the wall.
Disney producing “American Horror Story”? “American Crime Story”? “Feud”? Uh, no.
With Disney taking over Fox any second, Murphy has left the building. He’s signed a $300 million deal to produce cutting edge TV shows for Netflix.
The news has to come as a blow to Disney, which knew he’d be part of the package when they bought Fox TV and the movie studio from Rupert Murdoch late last year. Disney isn’t known for cutting edge, or any of the other chances Murphy has taken to grow into a TV mogul. The Versace murder on the Disney channel? Ain’t happening.
“The history of this moment is not lost on me,” Murphy said in a statement. “I am a gay kid from Indiana who moved to Hollywood in 1989 with $55 dollars in savings in my pocket, so the fact that my dreams have crystallized and come true in such a major way is emotional and overwhelming to me. I am awash in genuine appreciation for Ted Sarandos, Reed Hastings and Cindy Holland at Netflix for believing in me and the future of my company which will continue to champion women, minorities and LGBTQ heroes and heroines, and I am honored and grateful to continue my partnership with my friends and peers at Fox on our existing shows.”
Murphy joins Shonda Rhimes, who just escaped from the Mouse House for Netflix with her own big deal.
