Alexi Hawley Extends Lionsgate TV Deal, ‘The Envoy’ Moves to HBO Max

Alexi Hawley, the creator of the popular ABC procedural drama “The Rookie,” has signed a new, multi-year overall deal with Lionsgate Television. This extension solidifies his ongoing relationship with the studio, which began with an initial pact in 2024. The renewed agreement will see Hawley continue his work on the “The Rookie” franchise, which is currently preparing to enter its seventh season. Beyond his existing commitments, the deal also encompasses the development and production of new scripted television series for Lionsgate.

In parallel with the Lionsgate deal, Hawley's upcoming drama project, titled “The Envoy,” is set to move to HBO Max. This development indicates a diversification of his creative output, with one project housed at Lionsgate Television and another finding a home on a different major streaming platform. Specific details regarding the plot or cast of “The Envoy” have not yet been disclosed, but its placement on HBO Max suggests a potential for a different tone or target audience compared to his current network series.

Hawley's career has been significantly shaped by his work on “The Rookie,” which premiered in 2018 and has since garnered a substantial following. The series follows the oldest rookie in the LAPD as he navigates the challenges of his new career. The show’s success led to the spin-off “The Rookie: Feds,” which premiered in 2022 and also falls under Hawley's purview. The extension of his overall deal with Lionsgate Television underscores the studio's confidence in his ability to create and deliver successful programming.

Lionsgate Television is a prominent producer of television content, known for a diverse slate of dramas, comedies, and unscripted series. The studio has a history of fostering long-term relationships with showrunners and creators, aiming to build robust content pipelines. Hawley's continued partnership is a testament to this strategy, providing Lionsgate with a consistent source of new material. The move of “The Envoy” to HBO Max, however, highlights the complex and often fluid nature of content deals in the current media landscape, where projects can shift between networks and platforms based on strategic alignments and creative opportunities.