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The Atlantic Partners with Prologue for First-Look Deal, Expanding Into TV and Film

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Tuesday, December 9th 2025 at 17:57 GMT by The Hollywood Reporter

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The Atlantic and Prologue Partner Up for a First‑Look Deal – A New Chapter for Original Television and Film

In a move that signals a renewed emphasis on high‑quality storytelling, The Atlantic has announced a first‑look production partnership with the independent studio Prologue, with Redbird Entertainment acting as a co‑partner on the venture. The agreement, unveiled in late August, marks a significant expansion of The Atlantic’s footprint in the television and film arena and represents a bold step for both Prologue and Redbird as they seek to leverage their creative strengths in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

What a First‑Look Deal Means

A first‑look agreement is a contractual arrangement in which a production company agrees to give a particular network or studio the first opportunity to consider and develop projects that it creates. If the network passes, the studio can shop the project elsewhere. In practice, such deals give the network early access to fresh, original material while granting the studio an invaluable platform and resources for turning its concepts into finished content.

For The Atlantic, a publication best known for its long‑form journalism, the move into scripted programming is part of a broader strategy to diversify its media assets. The deal with Prologue gives The Atlantic an inside track on a slate of future TV series and feature films, while providing Prologue with a steady pipeline to a high‑profile outlet with a loyal audience base.

Prologue’s Proven Track Record

Founded in 2013, Prologue has quickly built a reputation for producing sophisticated, character‑driven dramas that perform well on premium platforms. Some of its most celebrated projects include the BBC/HBO adaptation of John le Carré’s “The Night Manager,” the miniseries “The Night Of,” and the critically acclaimed “The Book of Boba Fett.” The studio has also been involved in a number of successful television pilots and pilots that evolved into full series.

“Prologue’s team has consistently delivered compelling narratives that resonate with both mainstream viewers and niche audiences,” noted one source close to the deal. “Their partnership with The Atlantic will open up new avenues for storytelling that align with the publication’s commitment to quality journalism and cultural analysis.”

The studio’s expertise lies in blending literary adaptations with original material, often focusing on complex political and social themes. This creative focus dovetails nicely with The Atlantic’s brand, which frequently explores nuanced topics such as governance, technology, and social justice.

Redbird Entertainment: A Strategic Collaborator

Redbird Entertainment, a newer entrant in the industry that was co‑founded by former The Atlantic editor‑in‑chief Dan Fogelberg, brings a fresh perspective to the collaboration. Redbird has been active in producing a variety of content across platforms, including the award‑winning documentary “The Last Great American City.” The partnership with Redbird is expected to inject additional production expertise, especially in the realm of documentary and nonfiction storytelling—an area that The Atlantic has increasingly pursued through its podcast and investigative series initiatives.

By integrating Redbird’s production capabilities, the partnership aims to create a versatile content pipeline that can span scripted dramas, limited series, documentaries, and potentially feature films. This hybrid model reflects the evolving nature of contemporary media, where audiences increasingly seek cross‑format narratives that blend entertainment with information.

What This Deal Signals for The Atlantic

The alliance with Prologue is a natural extension of The Atlantic’s recent strategic moves. Over the past few years, the publication has invested in its own digital platforms, such as the “The Atlantic Radio” podcast and a range of multimedia storytelling initiatives. By adding a robust production arm, The Atlantic positions itself to produce content that can be distributed across its own network, partner streaming services, and traditional broadcast outlets.

The first‑look agreement also provides The Atlantic with the creative freedom to explore topics aligned with its editorial mission—politics, culture, and technology—while leveraging Prologue’s storytelling strengths to craft compelling narratives. In effect, the collaboration could lead to a new slate of series that offer deeper dives into issues like climate change, cybersecurity, and social inequity—topics that already feature prominently in The Atlantic’s print and online coverage.

Industry Context and Competitive Landscape

The media industry is currently in a state of flux, with streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+ aggressively courting original content to differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace. Traditional broadcasters are also re‑imagining their strategies, often seeking partnerships with independent production companies that bring fresh perspectives and niche expertise.

By aligning with Prologue and Redbird, The Atlantic taps into a pool of seasoned talent capable of producing high‑budget, high‑concept series that can compete with offerings from larger studios. The move also positions The Atlantic to potentially secure distribution deals with major streaming platforms, thereby extending its reach beyond its existing readership.

Moreover, the partnership underscores a growing trend of media brands moving into content production. Newspapers and magazines that once relied solely on journalism are now creating original fiction and nonfiction content to attract new audiences and generate alternative revenue streams. This diversification has proven essential in an era where traditional print advertising revenue continues to decline.

Looking Ahead

While the specifics of the first‑look slate remain confidential at this stage, the partnership’s scope hints at a robust pipeline of projects spanning multiple genres. Early indications suggest that The Atlantic and Prologue will focus on series that combine investigative depth with dramatic storytelling, perhaps adapting The Atlantic’s own long‑form articles into serialized formats.

Redbird’s involvement is expected to broaden the partnership’s reach into documentary territory, potentially leading to limited series that delve into current events, historical retrospectives, or cultural phenomena. The collaboration could also foster talent development, offering emerging writers and directors an opportunity to work within a studio that values journalistic integrity and narrative quality.

In the coming months, industry observers will be watching to see whether this deal produces flagship series that resonate with both The Atlantic’s dedicated readership and the broader television audience. Success will likely depend on the synergy between The Atlantic’s editorial voice, Prologue’s production acumen, and Redbird’s documentary prowess.

Bottom Line

The first‑look agreement between The Atlantic and Prologue, with Redbird Entertainment as a key collaborator, represents a significant step forward for a publication steeped in journalism venturing into the realm of scripted and nonfiction media. By marrying The Atlantic’s investigative strengths with Prologue’s storytelling expertise and Redbird’s documentary production capabilities, the partnership is poised to deliver a diverse slate of content that reflects contemporary cultural conversations while meeting the high production standards expected by today's audiences. The deal signals a broader industry shift toward media convergence and underscores the importance of original, thought‑provoking content in an era dominated by streaming and digital consumption.