Jason Bateman Announces Surprise New Series—Release Date, Cast, and Plot Revealed

Jason Bateman lit up the Toronto International Film Festival this week as he walked the red carpet for the world-premiere screening of Netflix’s new limited series “Black Rabbit,” a gritty eight-episode drama that pairs the Emmy-winner with Jude Law and lands on the streamer September 18. The Ozark star, 56, arrived at TIFF flanked by wife Amanda Anka and their two daughters, instantly sparking a surge of search interest as fans hunted for fresh photos and early reactions to the show. Set inside a moody Manhattan nightclub, “Black Rabbit” casts Bateman and Law as estranged brothers forced to reopen old wounds when they try to turn the venue into New York’s next it-spot. Created by Oscar-nominated writer Zach Baylin (King Richard) and Kate Susman, the thriller doubles down on the morally gray territory that made Bateman’s Ozark a binge sensation. Early buzz from the festival describes the series as “Succession meets Nightcrawler,” singling out Bateman’s understated menace and Law’s volatile energy for early awards chatter. Bateman doesn’t just headline the project—he also executive-produces, further cementing his reputation as one of Hollywood’s most bankable hyphenates. The actor-director previously scored back-to-back Emmy nominations for steering Ozark’s tense visual style, and insiders say he directed the “Black Rabbit” pilot to lock in the show’s sleek, neon-drenched aesthetic. With Netflix spending aggressively on prestige limited series, industry analysts predict the star’s involvement will give the streamer a valuable fall tent-pole as subscriber competition heats up. Away from the screen, Bateman leveraged the TIFF spotlight to champion safer working conditions on set, telling reporters that the show’s night-shoot schedule required “meticulous planning” to protect cast and crew. The comments come as Hollywood’s labor negotiations remain front-of-mind after last year’s strikes, positioning the actor as both creative force and industry advocate. The family outing also reignited curiosity about Amanda Anka, Bateman’s spouse of 23 years and daughter of music legend Paul Anka. Searches for her production company, Bunny Lane, spiked after paparazzi captured the couple’s coordinated navy ensembles. Entertainment insiders note that Anka quietly serves as a creative sounding board on most of Bateman’s projects, fueling speculation the pair could team up on a future directing vehicle. What’s next? After wrapping “Black Rabbit,” Bateman is slated to helm the techno-thriller film “Dark Wire” for Netflix and produce a dramedy series for FX, while rumors swirl that he’ll reunite with Arrested Development co-star Will Arnett on a true-crime podcast adaptation. For now, all eyes turn to September 18, when “Black Rabbit” drops worldwide and Google’s trending charts will almost certainly see “Jason Bateman” hop to the very top once again.