The creative tandem of Freddie Highmore and David Shore, who together brought us the hit series "The Good Doctor," has re-united with Sony Pictures Television for a new drama series titled "I'm Not Here to Hurt You." This thrilling new show has been ordered by Canada's Crave streamer, the home of the viral drama series "Heated Rivalry."
Crave and Sony Pictures have jointly commissioned the series, which Sony will showcase to buyers in the U.S. and the rest of the world. This unusual approach demonstrates Sony's faith in its ability to generate strong demand for the show in major territories. John Morayniss' Blink49 Studios is producing "I'm Not Here" alongside Sony. Sony Pictures plans to give the show a big sales push to international buyers during the L.A. Screenings meetings held by major studios this week with top international buyers.
"David and Freddie have an extraordinary creative partnership built on trust, collaboration, and a shared passion for powerful storytelling," said Lauren Stein, executive VP and head of creative for Sony Pictures TV. "They have a unique ability to create richly layered characters who are imperfect, complicated, and deeply relatable - the kind of characters audiences genuinely care about. We couldn't be more excited to reunite with them for 'I'm Not Here to Hurt You' and are grateful to our partners at Bell Media, Crave, and Blink49 Studios."
The new series tells the offbeat story of a man who, after killing someone in a bicycle accident, spirals into a life of crime driven by the noble but futile goal of never hurting anyone ever again. The series is based on a podcast of the same name produced in 2023 by the Irish Independent and hosted by Kevin Doyle. Shore and Highmore co-created the TV series.
"We weren't quite done with each other after all," said Shore and Highmore in a statement. "We're thrilled to be collaborating again, excited to return to Canada alongside our partners at Bell and Blink49 Studios, and grateful for Sony's continued support. Now we have to get to work."
Shore is among TV's most in-demand showrunners, prepping a high-profile new series for NBC in the coming season, a contemporary remake of "The Rockford Files" starring David Boreanaz, and "Conviction," a legal drama starring Elisabeth Moss with Warren Littlefield executive producing. Shore was behind the hit Fox/Universal TV medical drama "House," which aired for eight seasons from 2004 to 2012. Highmore was recently featured in the Amazon Prime Video series "The Assassin."
"This new series marks an exciting moment for Crave as we continue to build our portfolio of compelling, premium original content with international appeal," said Justin Stockman, VP of global content for Bell Media. "Freddie's ability to embody complex characters is second to none, and we're delighted to collaborate with celebrated Canadian creative, David Shore, on our first-ever project with Sony Pictures Television."
The project is also a big venture for Blink49 Studios, the banner founded in 2021 by international TV veteran Morayniss. "David Shore and Freddie Highmore have created a truly compelling and emotionally complex series with enormous international potential," said Morayniss. "We're excited to collaborate with Bell Media and Sony Pictures Television on 'I'm Not Here to Hurt You' to bring this exceptional story to audiences around the world."
Shore and Highmore will executive produce "I'm Not Here to Hurt You" alongside Claire Londy for Highmore's Alfresco Pictures and Erin Gunn for Shore's ShoreZ banner. Highmore is repped by Artists Rights Group, CAA, and Toczek Suddleson. Shore is represented by CAA, Larry Shuman of the Shuman Co., and attorney Bill Sobel.
