Pipeline of distinctive stories with potential to resonate globally
In the ongoing negotiation between the written word and the moving image, a Montreal production house and a Canadian magazine of ideas have formalized what storytellers have long intuited: that rigorous journalism and compelling television share the same root. Muse Entertainment, known for prestige scripted drama, has signed a first-look deal with The Walrus magazine, granting the studio early access to unpublished investigative work spanning politics, science, culture, and society. The arrangement, timed to a broader industry turn toward factual programming, reflects a belief that the most durable stories are those already anchored in truth.
- A scripted drama powerhouse is deliberately remaking itself, betting that investigative journalism holds the next generation of must-watch television.
- The deal gives Muse a competitive edge — first access to The Walrus's unpublished investigations before any rival can option them.
- With projects already in development for Amazon, Paramount+, Bell Media, and Sky U.K., the expansion is not aspirational — it is already in motion.
- The hire of a senior Los Angeles–based executive signals that Muse is not thinking regionally; it is building infrastructure for a global unscripted footprint.
- The partnership heads to Banff, where the industry gathers to buy and sell the future of programming, making this deal's public debut a calculated move.
Muse Entertainment, the Montreal studio behind prestige television like The Kennedys and Three Pines, has entered a first-look agreement with The Walrus magazine — a partnership designed to transform the publication's long-form investigative journalism into documentary and unscripted series for global audiences.
The deal marks a meaningful shift for a company that built its identity on scripted drama, having produced event miniseries for Starz, ABC, CBC, and Amazon Prime Video over two decades. Now Muse is turning toward factual programming, drawing on The Walrus's coverage of politics, culture, science, and social issues as source material for stories with documentary potential.
For The Walrus, the arrangement extends the reach of its journalism beyond the page. Editor-in-chief Carmine Starnino described it as an opportunity to amplify the publication's impact, while Muse's managing director of unscripted, Jonas Prupas, framed it as a pipeline for distinctive, globally resonant stories — with the advantage of identifying them before they even reach print.
The studio already has projects in production for Amazon, Paramount+, and Bell Media and Sky U.K., and recently appointed Jennifer Harkness, formerly of Blue Ant Studios, as senior vice president of global development and partnerships in Los Angeles. The partnership will be presented at the Banff media festival, where the industry convenes each year to shape what audiences will watch next.
Muse Entertainment, the Montreal-based production company behind prestige television like The Kennedys and Three Pines, has signed a first-look deal with The Walrus magazine. The arrangement gives Muse early access to unpublished investigative journalism from the Canadian publication, with the goal of developing documentary and unscripted television series for audiences worldwide.
The partnership represents a deliberate pivot for a studio that built its reputation on scripted drama. Over the past two decades, Muse has produced event miniseries and prestige television for major networks—The Pillars of the Earth for Starz, Ben Hur for ABC, Bellevue for WGN America, and more recently Coroner for CBC and Three Pines for Amazon Prime Video. Now the company is doubling down on factual programming, mining The Walrus's coverage of politics, culture, science, business, and social issues for stories with documentary potential.
The Walrus, known for its long-form investigative journalism, brings a particular editorial sensibility to the table. Carmine Starnino, the magazine's editor-in-chief, framed the deal as an expansion of the publication's reach. "Muse has built a world-class reputation for turning great ideas into unforgettable programming," he said. "We're thrilled to partner with them to expand the reach and impact of our journalism."
Jonas Prupas, managing director of unscripted at Muse, emphasized the strategic value of the arrangement. The company is actively building what he called a "pipeline of distinctive, high-quality stories with the potential to resonate globally." By securing first look at The Walrus's editorial work before publication, Muse gains the advantage of identifying compelling narratives early in their development.
The timing of the deal reflects broader industry movement toward documentary and factual content. Muse has already assembled a slate of projects in various stages of production: The Unsolved Murder of Beverly Lynn Smith for Amazon, For Heaven's Sake for Paramount+, and Nose Deep for Bell Media and Sky U.K. The company also recently hired Jennifer Harkness, a former executive at Blue Ant Studios, as senior vice president of global development and partnerships, based in Los Angeles. Her appointment signals Muse's intention to expand its unscripted footprint internationally.
The partnership will be shopped at Banff, the annual media festival where broadcasters and producers gather to pitch and acquire programming. For The Walrus, the arrangement offers a pathway to transform its journalism into visual media. For Muse, it represents a calculated expansion into a content category where quality journalism can translate into compelling television—and where the stories themselves carry the weight of real investigation.
Notable Quotes
Muse has built a world-class reputation for turning great ideas into unforgettable programming. We're thrilled to partner with them to expand the reach and impact of our journalism.— Carmine Starnino, editor-in-chief of The Walrus
As we continue to expand Muse Entertainment's unscripted business, we're focused on building a pipeline of distinctive, high-quality stories with the potential to resonate globally.— Jonas Prupas, managing director of unscripted at Muse Entertainment
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why does a scripted drama company suddenly need a magazine partnership to make documentaries?
Because the best documentary stories are already being reported somewhere. The Walrus has investigative journalists doing months of work on stories that haven't been published yet. Muse gets to see them first, before anyone else.
So this is about speed and access, not about Muse lacking documentary expertise?
Both, really. Yes, they want first look at good stories. But they're also signaling that unscripted is now a core business, not a side project. The hire of Jennifer Harkness, the slate of projects already in production—this is a real commitment.
What does The Walrus get out of this besides wider distribution?
Legitimacy in a different medium, and resources. Turning a magazine story into a documentary requires money, production expertise, and relationships with platforms. The Walrus has the journalism; Muse has the infrastructure.
Is this deal exclusive? Could The Walrus still pitch stories to other production companies?
The source doesn't specify, but "first look" typically means Muse gets to see and consider stories before anyone else. It doesn't necessarily mean exclusivity forever, but it gives Muse a real advantage.
Why announce this at Banff specifically?
That's where the deals happen. Banff is where broadcasters and producers gather to buy and sell programming. Announcing here means platforms like Amazon and Paramount+ are already in the room, ready to hear about what's coming.