Netflix Signs Joseph Kay To Exclusive Deal

Netflix has locked in an exclusive overall deal with Joseph Kay, the creator of the medical drama Transplant. The agreement secures his services for new television productions in Canada. His first assignment under the contract is an untitled family drama.

Transplant aired on NBC in the United States for four seasons. The series followed Dr. Bashir "Bash" Hamed, a Syrian refugee and emergency medicine physician played by Hamza Haq. The show depicted his efforts to rebuild his career in a Toronto trauma unit alongside his younger sister, Amira, played by Sirena Gulamgaus. Sphère Média Plus produced the series in association with CTV and NBCUniversal International Studios.

Kay has established a working relationship with the streaming platform prior to this exclusive arrangement. He served as a consulting producer for the second season of North of North, an Arctic-set comedy that also airs on CBC. That series is scheduled to return on Nov. 5. He also co-executive produced the upcoming adaptation of Carley Fortune's novel This Summer Will Be Different. His other writing credits include Ransom, This Life, and Republic of Doyle.

Kay expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership in a statement released on Wednesday. "I am beyond grateful and thrilled to partner with this incredible company," he said. He noted his "huge admiration for Netflix's entire team, and for their unsurpassed drive to tell great stories and connect with audiences around the world."

Danielle Woodrow and Tara Woodbury, directors of content at Netflix Canada, issued their own statement praising the writer. They described Kay as "a seasoned and gifted creator and showrunner, who is also adept at supporting other writers." The executives stated that the company enjoyed its previous collaborations with him and is pleased to expand the relationship.

Kay is represented by Dustin Alpern and Conrad Sun at Sundust Management. Casey Chisick of Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP negotiated the terms of the overall deal.

The deal marks a shift for Kay from a single-show creator to a developer for a specific regional market. Netflix will now rely on his expertise for multiple projects rather than just one series. The untitled family drama is the first of these new ventures to enter development.