THE MARQUEE
Netflix has officially given a straight-to-series order for 'Alexander,' a new high-concept historical drama set to explore the compelling mentorship between a young Alexander the Great and the renowned philosopher Aristotle. The series hails from Jacob Tierney, known for his work on the critically acclaimed Canadian sports romance series 'Heated Rivalry,' which premiered in November 2025 on Crave, and as co-creator of 'Letterkenny.'
Tierney is set to take on multiple key roles for the project, serving as writer, director, and executive producer. The series is an adaptation of Annabel Lyon's 2009 novel, 'The Golden Mean,' which delves into a three-year period beginning in 343 BC when Aristotle tutored Alexander III of Macedon. The book's title refers to a Greek philosophical concept emphasizing balance between extremes. This marks a significant move for Tierney, who expressed his long-standing passion for Lyon's book, stating, "I fell in love with Annabel Lyon's book The Golden Mean years ago and have been dreaming of telling this story ever since."
Adding further star power behind the scenes, Jason Bateman and Michael Costigan will executive produce 'Alexander' through their production company, Aggregate Films. Aggregate Films has a multi-year first-look deal with Netflix, established in 2018, and has been behind numerous projects for the streamer, including 'Ozark.' Brendan Brady of Accent Aigu Entertainment, who also executive produced 'Heated Rivalry,' will join them as an executive producer. Netflix's Jinny Howe, Head of US and Canada Scripted Series, praised Tierney's vision for the series, highlighting its reimagining of the mentor-protégé dynamic with "a raw, modern energy that feels both epic and incredibly intimate."
