Prime Video Greenlights New Crime Thriller Series ‘Calamities’ from David Weil and Glen Powell’s Barnstorm Team
Prime Video has officially announced a straight-to-series order for the Texas-based crime thriller Calamities, created by showrunner, writer, and director David Weil, known for his work on Hunters. Alongside Weil, who serves as an executive producer, Natalie Laine Williams will also contribute through their Please Enjoy production banner. Additional executive producers include Glen Powell and Dan Cohen’s company, Barnstorm, with Ryan Schwartz acting as co-executive producer.
Prime Video describes Calamities as “a gripping and propulsive Texas crime thriller like no other.” The plot centers on a small border town plunged into chaos following a violent drug deal. The narrative follows a small-town sheriff with a complicated past, a sociopathic hitwoman, an eager FBI agent, and a merciless cartel faction.
“Calamities is the unique character-rich thriller that doesn’t blink,” stated Peter Friedlander, Head of Global Television at Amazon MGM Studios. “David Weil has crafted a story that knocks the wind out of you, and we’re beyond excited to support him, Natalie, Glen, and Dan in bringing it to life on Prime.”
This latest series marks Weil’s continued collaboration with Prime Video, following his previous projects, Hunters, Solos, and Citadel. He is also the creative mind behind Apple TV’s Invasion. Recently, Weil wrote Extraction 3 for Netflix, sold his original screenplay Supermax to Miramax, and is currently developing a film about journalist Evan Gershkovich in collaboration with Edward Berger and United Artists. Additionally, he is set to direct his own script, Tyrant, for Amazon/MGM. Weil and Please Enjoy are represented by CAA and Jackoway, Austen Tyerman.
Barnstorm, co-founded last year by Powell and Cohen, has recently acquired the rights to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre with A24, which will include both a series adaptation from JT Mollner and a feature film within the franchise. The company has also completed production on the second season of Chad Powers for Hulu and is currently working on The Comeback King, their inaugural film under a deal with Universal. Powell and Barnstorm are represented by CAA and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole LLP.
