Oliver and Rae's 'Open' Sparks Bidding War Among Networks
Tracy Oliver and Issa Rae have co-created a new hourlong drama series titled 'Open,' which has already attracted seven offers from buyers. The show follows a married couple in Houston who decide to open their marriage, triggering a cascade of affairs and hidden truths among their friend group. Paramount Television Studios is producing under Rae's first-look deal.
The project has generated significant heat in the marketplace, with seven separate offers already on the table shortly after being shopped to buyers. This level of early interest signals strong confidence in the creative pairing of Oliver and Rae, both of whom have established track records in television. Paramount Television Studios is producing the series under Rae's existing first-look agreement with the studio.
The series is set in Houston and centers on a married couple whose decision to open their relationship creates ripple effects through their social circle. As the premise unfolds, the arrangement exposes hidden affairs and long-buried secrets among friends, forcing each character to reckon with the dishonesty underpinning their own partnerships. The hourlong drama format allows for serialized exploration of these intertwined relationships.
This project could further cement the influence of Black women creators in premium television, potentially opening doors for more nuanced explorations of adult relationships on major platforms. The competitive bidding may signal that networks recognize audience appetite for complex, character-driven dramas centered on non-traditional relationship dynamics. If successful, it could encourage more studios to greenlight similarly bold concepts from underrepresented voices, though the eventual winner will need to balance creative integrity with commercial appeal.