Jensen Ackles is expanding his role at Amazon MGM Studios with another major project. The Vought Rising star is set to headline and executive produce the new original drama series Rules of Prey, which has received a greenlight from MGM+. The series is based on the first novel in John Sandford’s popular Prey book series.
Created by Bruce Terris (DTF St. Louis), who will also serve as showrunner and executive producer, Rules of Prey will follow Lucas Davenport, played by Ackles, a former detective with the Minneapolis Police Department who is pulled back into law enforcement after a series of disturbing murders targets him personally.
The story centers on a brilliant serial killer who begins taking the lives of Minneapolis citizens while leaving behind a message specifically meant for Davenport. As the unconventional investigator takes on the case, he finds himself locked in a dangerous psychological battle with an opponent who is just as intelligent and determined as he is.
As Davenport works to uncover the killer’s twisted moral code and personal vendetta, he must challenge a predator who believes their conflict is the ultimate game. The investigation forces him to risk everything in order to stop a murderer who follows his own rules of justice.
Ackles’ version of Lucas Davenport is described as a righteous avenging angel whose sharp intelligence, unconventional methods and refusal to allow the law to stand in the way of justice ultimately forced him out of the Minneapolis Police Department.
Produced by MGM Television and Take 5 Productions, the eight-episode first season of Rules of Prey will feature executive production from Jensen Ackles, Bruce Terris, Charles Gogolak and Matt Leipzig for Modern Literary Arts, along with Howard Braunstein, Michael Jaffe, John Requa, Glenn Ficarra and John Weber.
Daniel Sackheim (Game of Thrones) will direct the first two episodes and will also serve as executive producer. John Sandford will be involved as a co-producer. Production is scheduled to begin this month in Toronto.
“Jensen Ackles’ classic leading man charisma, combined with Bruce Terris’ skillful adaptation of John Sandford’s enduringly popular Prey series is an excellent fit for MGM+,” said Michael Wright, global head of MGM+.
“The series delves into the psychological depth and suspense that made Sandford’s novels unmissable reading and continues MGM+’s commitment to bringing classic Hollywood storytelling to modern audiences.”
Rules of Prey will premiere on MGM+ in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Chile.
The upcoming series continues Jensen Ackles’ growing partnership with MGM+ and Amazon MGM Studios. He is already set to star in and produce Vought Rising, the upcoming The Boys prequel, where he will reprise his role as Soldier Boy from the original series. The show is expected to premiere in 2027.
Ackles has previously taken on multiple roles within Amazon projects, starring in and executive producing both The Boys and the thriller series Countdown. The Supernatural alum will also return as Russell Shaw in season 4 of CBS’ Tracker.
Bruce Terris joins the project after winning an Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series Emmy for DTF St. Louis, where he served as executive producer. He previously co-created the critically praised series Perpetual Grace, LTD for MGM+ predecessor Epix, a project supported by Michael Wright. Terris is currently under an overall deal with MGM Television.
Daniel Sackheim brings extensive directing experience to Rules of Prey, with credits including Prime Video’s Jack Ryan as well as True Detective, Ozark, Better Call Saul, The Audacity and Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed.
John Sandford is the pseudonym of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist John Camp. He created the Prey series, along with the Kidd novels, Virgil Flowers novels and several other books, including three young adult novels written with his wife Michele Cook.
With Jensen Ackles leading the cast and a story built around a battle of intelligence between an investigator and a calculating killer, Rules of Prey is shaping up to be another major thriller addition for MGM+.
