Jensen Ackles to Lead MGM+ Serial Killer Drama 'Rules of Prey'
Jensen Ackles will star as Lucas Davenport in MGM+'s adaptation of John Sandford's 'Prey' book series. The character is a former Minneapolis detective drawn back to investigate murders targeting him. Production on the eight-episode first season begins this month in Toronto.
Ackles' casting continues a busy stretch that includes his recurring role as Russell Shaw on CBS's "Tracker," with his next appearance slated for the fourth season's fifth episode. He also recently starred opposite Eric Dane in Prime Video's short-lived "Countdown" (2025) and will reprise his Soldier Boy character in the upcoming "Vought Rising" prequel, expected in 2027.
The eight-episode first season begins production this month in Toronto, with Bruce Terris serving as showrunner and executive producing alongside Ackles. MGM+ head Michael Wright highlighted the series as part of the platform's commitment to classic Hollywood-style storytelling, adapting Sandford's long-running "Prey" novels, which have remained popular with readers for decades.
This series may draw both devoted "Supernatural" fans and crime-thriller audiences to MGM+, potentially expanding the streamer's subscriber base. The psychological cat-and-mouse premise could resonate with viewers who enjoy prestige serial-killer dramas, while Ackles' established fan following may generate significant social media buzz. The adaptation's success could also influence how other streaming platforms approach adapting long-running book series, particularly those with devoted literary fanbases.