Netflix Acquires U.S. Rights for Mark Duplass’ Indie-Financed TV Series ‘Penelope’

Penelope Duplass Brothers
(Image credit: Duplass Brothers Productions)

Penelope, Mark Duplass’ independently financed and produced TV series has found a home on Netflix, after the streaming company acquired U.S. distribution rights for all eight first-season episodes.

The deal -- somewhat unique for TV series -- provides that brothers Mark and Jay Duplass' production company will retain control of the show, including the right to make a second season. The Duplass Bros. will also retain video on-demand rental rights as they continue to market the series.

Duplass made the announcement Sunday at SeriesFest, after the show debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in January.

Penelope, which stars Megan Stott and Austin Abrams, follows a 16-year-old girl who leaves her life behind for the uncharted wilderness, and tries to find a new life away from contemporary civilization.

Having co-written the project over the pandemic with the help of director Mel Eslyn, and, due to a lack of financiers, decided to self-finance the project, Duplass’ deal with Netflix will secure wider distribution for the series after a nearly six-month marketing process.

“I knew when I brought the scripts to the buyers that there would be a bidding war,” said Duplass in an Instagram post about the series in December. “But there wasn’t. No one would give us the money to make it.”

TheWrap reported that Duplass made it easy for Netflix to acquire the distribution rights: “We’ve basically absolved [Netflix] of the responsibility to make us their flagship show," Mark Duplass said to the trade. 

Duplass reportedly told Netflix, “Just put us on the service. We’re going to sign a very short deal with you guys, and we’re going to see how it does. That way at Netflix, you’re not taking an oversized, outsized risk on the show. You’re not going to be pissed off if it doesn’t work.”

The show’s performance on Netflix will likely determine whether Duplass Brothers Productions decides to renew the project for a second season.

Next TV contributor

Jack Reid is a USC Annenberg Journalism major with experience reporting, producing and writing for Annenberg Media. He has also served as a video editor, showrunner and live-anchor during his time in the field.  

Latest in Programming
Sabrina Ionescu #20 of the New York Liberty handles the ball during the game against the Las Vegas Aces on September 8, 2024
WNBA Playoffs Continue: What’s On This Weekend in TV Sports (Sept. 28-29)
Press conference for PFL's October 19 PPV fight between Francis Ngannou (left) and Renan Ferreira
Professional Fighters League Packs a Domestic, International MMA Punch (TV Sportsplay)
AGT
Singing Janitor Wins ‘AGT’ Season 19
 Bijan Robinson #7 of the Atlanta Falcons gets tackled by Avonte Maddox #29 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter in the game at Lincoln Financial Field on September 16, 2024
Weekly Cable Ratings: Falcons-Eagles Gives ESPN a Brotherly Shove Past Fox News
Monster the Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
Ryan Murphy Dials Up Another Monster Debut -- Netflix Weekly Rankings for September 16-22
'Beauty in Black'
Netflix to Debut Tyler Perry Series ‘Beauty in Black’ in October
Latest in News
Dish and DirecTV satellite dishes
DirecTV Acquires Dish, Unifying Struggling Satellite Business
B+C Hall of Fame class of 2024
Freeze Frame: B+C Hall of Fame 2024
DirecTV and Dish
Next Text: As DirecTV and Dish Try to Seize the Remains of the Day, Does It Even Matter?
Adam Symson speaks to KNXV Phoenix GM/VP Anita Hecht.
E.W. Scripps Folding Scripps News, Eliminating 200 Jobs; Stock Jumps 15%
Sabrina Ionescu #20 of the New York Liberty handles the ball during the game against the Las Vegas Aces on September 8, 2024
WNBA Playoffs Continue: What’s On This Weekend in TV Sports (Sept. 28-29)
Fubo Multiview
Fubo Launches 'Multiview' Beta on Roku