Guy Ritchie’sRay Donovanspinoff series,The Donovans, has reportedly become a standalone project, eyeing the likes of Tom Hardy and Pierce Brosnan to star.The Donovansspinoffwas originally announced back in February 2024, focusing on an offshoot of the family situated in London, where criminal activity is abundant. Ritchie was attached to the project, which had been expected to premiere on Paramount+ in late 2024. Since then, however, no concrete news about the spinoff has been revealed, making it unclear just when it would arrive.
Now, according toDeadline,Hardy, Brosnan, and Helen Mirren are in negotiations to star inGuy Ritchie’s The Associates, the working title of what was once the filmmaker’sRay Donovanspinofffor Paramount+. The description for the show is exactly the same as when it was announced asThe Donovans, indicating the show has moved away from having direct connections to the Liev Schreiber-led original. This includes details of the series being set in London, following a gangster family and fixers dealing in dirty business transactions.
The show follows two generations of criminals, focusing on both business and fixing crimes. Hardy is expected to star as Harry, a fixer for a crime family, whose leaders would be played by Brosnan and Mirren.The series is being produced by Showtime/MTV Studios and 101 Studios, with Ritchie directing all episodes of the potentially 10-episode series. The series will be written by Ronan Bennett, who is an executive producer alongside Ritchie, Ivan Atkinson, Ron Burkle, David C. Glasser, David Hutkin, and Bob Yari. Check out the description of the series below:
With the most powerful clients in Europe,Guy Ritchie’s The Associatewill see family fortunes and reputations at risk, odd alliances unfold, and betrayal around every corner; and while the family might be London’s most elite fixers today, the nature of their business means there is no guarantee what’s in store tomorrow.
What The Donovans Becoming The Associate Means For Guy Ritchie’s New Show
It’s Likely No Longer Connected To Ray Donovan
Ray Donovan’s memorable momentsare often attached to Liev Schreiber’s performance, as the actor portrays a professional fixer who gets deeper into the criminal underworld.Ritchie’s new series still contains some elements similar to the Showtime original, with a fixer being the central character while other criminals orbit around him in their own business. However, withThe Donovanstitle stripped from the series, it appearsThe Associateswon’t be directly connected despite the similarities involved. The casting news also makes it very clear the show won’t be coming out this year as originally planned.
Every Guy Ritchie Movie, Ranked From Worst To Best
Between his unique brand of gangster movies like Snatch and Hollywood reboots like Aladdin, director Guy Ritchie has a constant high-quality output.
Even though the Paramount+ series is no longer connected toRay Donovan,Ritchie’sThe Gentlemenon Netflixproved he can create engaging spinoffs of his own work. The same could have been applied to the Showtime original,meaningThe Associates' changes could have been made to ensure the series can pursue its own path without relying on a previous work. Perhaps this means a more lucrative partnership between Ritichie and Paramount+ could form, much like how creator Taylor Sheridan has four ongoing and one upcoming show on the platform.
Our Take On The Donovans Becoming The Associates
It Might Work Better For The New Series
While the connections betweenRay DonovanandThe Associateshave seemingly disappeared following the name change, it might work better for Ritchie’s new series to stand as a wholly original show. WhileThe Donovanswas an interesting concept to continue the franchise, having the show be more inspired by the original rather than a direct follow-up could draw more eyes to it. Given the filmmaker’s success in streaming already, his name and attached star power might be enough for the show to succeed, even if it’s standalone.
Source:Deadline
The Donovans
The Donovans is a spin-off crime-drama series of Ray Donovan, with Guy Ritchie attached to direct. The Donovan family battles to maintain control of their criminal enterprise in London as times change and the balance of power can be tilted in a new direction at any moment.
