Driver to star in Netflix hostage thriller 'Rabbit Rabbit'

Netflix has secured a direct-to-series order for Rabbit, Rabbit, a hostage thriller starring Adam Driver, after a competitive bidding war among multiple streamersthefutoncritic+1.
The series follows an escaped convict who takes hostages at a truck stop in southern Illinois, escalating into a social experiment and emotional standoff with an FBI Crisis Negotiator trained in "tactical empathy"thefutoncritic+1.
Peter Craig, writer of Top Gun: Maverick and The Batman, serves as creator and showrunner, while Emmy-winning director Philip Barantini will direct the seriesthefutoncritic+1.
The project marks Driver's return to television since HBO's Girls ended in 2017 and comes just weeks after Barantini's Adolescence swept eight Emmy Awards in September 2025, including Outstanding Limited Seriesworldofreel+2.
Production could begin as early as next year, with Driver also serving as executive producer alongside Craig and Barantini through MRC and their production companiesthefutoncritic+1.

Netflix has secured a direct-to-series order for "Rabbit, Rabbit," a high-stakes hostage thriller starring Adam Driver, following an intense competitive bidding process among multiple streamers. The project, created by Peter Craig and directed by Emmy Award-winning Philip Barantini, marks Driver's return to television since HBO's "Girls" concluded in 2017.netflix+2

Fresh Off Emmy Success

The announcement comes just six weeks after Barantini's Netflix series "Adolescence" swept the Emmy Awards in September 2025, winning eight awards including Outstanding Limited Series and Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series. "Adolescence," which became the first streaming show to top weekly television ratings, featured Barantini's signature one-shot filming style that kept viewers captivated.latimes+3

Barantini's recent success positioned him as one of Hollywood's most sought-after directors, with industry insiders noting that his Emmy win likely contributed to Netflix's aggressive pursuit of "Rabbit, Rabbit". The series is being compared to the classic "Dog Day Afternoon," though it remains unclear whether Barantini will employ his distinctive continuous-shot technique for this project.worldofreel+1

Production and Cast Details

Set at a truck stop in southern Illinois, "Rabbit, Rabbit" follows an escaped convict cornered by law enforcement who takes hostages to negotiate his freedom. The situation escalates into what the creators describe as "an unmanageable social experiment with his captives" and "an emotional poker match with a veteran FBI Crisis Negotiator trained in 'tactical empathy'".thefutoncritic+1

Peter Craig, known for writing "Top Gun: Maverick" and "The Batman," serves as creator, showrunner, and executive producer through his Night Owl production company, which has a first-look deal with MRC. Driver will executive produce alongside Craig and Barantini, with production potentially beginning as early as next year.netflix+2

The series adds to Driver's increasingly packed schedule, which includes Ron Howard's "Alone at Dawn" starting production November 10, 2025, and several other high-profile projects including James Gray's "Paper Tiger" and Jim Jarmusch's "Father Mother Sister Brother".instagram+1

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