Jez Butterworth Signs a Five-Year Deal with Universal Entertainment
Jez Butterworth Signs Five-Year Overall Deal with Universal Entertainment
Jez Butterworth, known for his work on Ford v. Ferrari and as an executive producer of the MobLand series, has secured a five-year overall deal with Universal Entertainment across television, streaming, and film. This agreement will take effect in January 2027, upon the conclusion of his current contract with Paramount at the end of 2026.
Under the new arrangement, Butterworth will collaborate with Universal Pictures, working closely with President Peter Cramer. He will also participate with the Universal Studio Group, which operates under Pearlena Igbokwe, Chairman of Television Studios, NBC Entertainment & Peacock Scripted. The group aims to support both NBCUniversal’s internal platforms and external buyers.
This announcement comes on the heels of a production pact between 101 Studios and Universal, also transitioning from Paramount. Both Butterworth and 101 Studios are behind Paramount’s hit series MobLand and The Agency. 101 Studios’ agreement was revealed in November, while former Paramount co-CEO Chris McCarthy has also secured a production deal with Universal to support the studio’s upcoming film and TV collaboration with Taylor Sheridan. This partnership will see the television segment shift to NBCUniversal in 2029, while the agreements for 101 Studios and McCarthy commence in 2026. MobLand, which features stars such as Pierce Brosnan, Tom Hardy, and Helen Mirren, broke streaming records with 2.2 million viewers for its first episode, making it Universal’s largest global series launch.
NBCUniversal Entertainment Chairman Donna Langley praised Butterworth’s creative versatility, stating, “Jez Butterworth is a versatile creator whose storytelling has a way of getting under your skin. Whether it’s on stage or screen, his distinct voice is surprising and intense but always deeply human.” Langley emphasized that working within the Universal Entertainment ecosystem will allow Butterworth to create a lasting impact at the studio.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new venture, Butterworth remarked, “I couldn’t be more thrilled and honored to join Donna and the team at Universal. I feel fortunate to continue my incredible partnership with 101 Studios and Chris [McCarthy] while I embark on this new adventure.”
Butterworth’s portfolio includes notable films such as Edge of Tomorrow, Spectre, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Black Mass, and Get On Up. His debut play, Mojo, received seven major awards, including the Olivier Award for Best Comedy. Other acclaimed theatrical works include The Night Heron, The Winterling, Parlour Song, Jerusalem, The River, and The Ferryman, which garnered nine Tony Award nominations and won four, including Best Play. His recent work, The Hills of California, received critical acclaim on both Broadway and the West End. Additionally, Butterworth was awarded the E.M. Forster Award in 2007 and became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2019.
Butterworth is represented by CAA and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner Auerbach Hynick Jaime LeVine Sample & Klein.
