Culture 3 min read By Lauren Baxter
Penn Badgley to Lead Prime Video Adaptation of «Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone»
Penn Badgley will star in Prime Video's series adaptation of Benjamin Stevenson's murder mystery novel, with David Hemingson attached as showrunner.
Penn Badgley, best known for his role in the thriller series «You», is set to headline a new Prime Video drama based on Benjamin Stevenson's 2022 novel «Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone». The project, which has received a series order from Amazon MGM Studios, is described as a darkly comedic murder mystery that follows a family with a deadly secret.
David Hemingson, an Academy Award nominee for «The Holdovers» and a writer on «Kitchen Confidential», will adapt the book and serve as showrunner and executive producer. The series is a co-production between Fifth Season and Made Up Stories, with Bruna Papandrea and Steve Hutensky among the executive producers. Badgley's return to the genre comes after his acclaimed run on Netflix's «You», where he played a charming but murderous stalker.
The novel, which has become a bestseller, centers on a family reunion that goes horribly wrong when a body is discovered. The protagonist, Ernest Cunningham, is a crime writer who must untangle the mystery while dealing with relatives who all have something to hide. The book's blend of humor and suspense has drawn comparisons to classic whodunits with a modern twist.
Prime Video has been expanding its slate of high-profile adaptations, and this project adds to a growing list of literary properties being developed for the platform. The series is expected to appeal to fans of both Badgley's previous work and Stevenson's popular book series, which has spawned sequels. Casting for additional roles has not yet been announced.
Hemingson's involvement signals a strong creative direction for the series. His work on «The Holdovers» earned critical acclaim, and his background in both drama and comedy aligns with the tonal balance of the source material. The show is expected to begin production in the coming months, though no release date has been set.
For Badgley, the role marks another pivot into the mystery-thriller space that has defined much of his recent career. His performance in «You» made him a household name in the streaming era, and this new project offers him a chance to explore a different kind of antihero. The series is part of a broader trend of streaming platforms adapting popular crime novels into limited or ongoing series.
As Prime Video continues to invest in star-driven projects, «Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone» stands out as a high-profile addition. The combination of a bestselling book, a proven showrunner, and a leading man with a dedicated fan base positions the series as a potential hit for the streamer. Further details, including additional cast members and a premiere window, are expected to be announced as production progresses.
