Adolescence director teams up with Hollywood favourite for a very different thriller series on Netflix

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Philip Barantini, the director behind the popular Netflix series Adolescence, is already working on his next project. He’ll be collaborating with Netflix again, but this time on a show that’s quite different from what viewers have seen before.

Barantini is confirmed to direct the new drama, Rabbit, Rabbit, starring Adam Driver.

The actor known for Marriage Story will play the main character: an escaped prisoner caught in a dangerous hostage crisis, and with each move, he only finds himself in more difficult circumstances.

The story follows an escaped prisoner who, when trapped at a truck stop, takes people hostage hoping to negotiate his release. However, the situation quickly spirals into a complex and unpredictable scenario, turning into a strange test of the hostages and a tense psychological game with an experienced FBI negotiator who specializes in understanding people’s emotions.

Peter Craig, known for his work on Top Gun: Maverick, is writing the scripts for the new series, Rabbit, Rabbit.

Before making “Rabbit, Rabbit,” Barantini gained recognition for directing the film “Boiling Point” and its subsequent BBC series, both filmed in a single, unbroken shot – a technique he’s become known for. It’s not yet known if he’ll use this same style in his new film.

He will also be directing the third Enola Holmes movie and a Netflix special called One Shot With Ed Sheeran, which is coming out next month.

Since debuting on the streaming service in March, “Adolescence” has become a popular show, praised for its relevant themes, talented actors, and high-quality production. It recently received significant recognition at both the 2025 Emmy Awards and the National Television Awards.

As a total cinema lover, I completely agree with director Barantini’s point about keeping an audience hooked. He told TopMob when discussing his film Adolescence that even really well-made movies sometimes struggle to hold my attention these days – I’ll admit, I’m often glancing at my phone! He basically said that to truly connect with viewers, a film really needs to grab you from the start.

He explained that the quick pace of the performance is captivating, demanding the audience’s full attention. It’s so fast-moving that even a quick blink could cause you to miss something, immediately drawing viewers in and keeping them engaged.

Think of it like watching a play. When you’re at a play, you wouldn’t be on your phone, right? You have to focus and really take everything in.

Details about the show Rabbit, Rabbit are still limited, but we know that Driver will be an executive producer, along with Craig and Barantini.

I’m really excited to see Samantha Beddoe and her company, It’s All Made Up Productions, along with Bryan Unkeless – who I loved in I, Tonya – and his Night Owl banner, all serving as executive producers on this project. It’s a great team!

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2025-10-30 14:36