Chloe Zhao

Source: Courtesy Searchlight Pictures

Chloe Zhao

Searchlight Television has signed a multi-year first-look TV deal with Nomadland and Eternals director Chloé Zhao.

The pact reunites Zhao with the studio behind the Oscar-winning Nomadland and marks the writer-director’s first foray into television.

“Chloe is a visionary filmmaker and, since the moment we finished Nomadland, we have looked to find new ways to collaborate again,” said Searchlight presidents Matthew Greenfield and David Greenbaum. “We are inspired by the breadth of Chloe’s storytelling passions and are beyond happy to be able to link arms and expand the opportunities to support personal, powerful, and enduring stories.”

Nomadland was nominated for six Oscars and won three in 2021 for best picture, director and actress for Frances McDormand. It also became the first film to win both the Venice Golden Lion and the Toronto People’s Choice Award, as well as earning four Baftas, four Critic’s Choice Awards, two IFP Gotham Awards, and PGA and DGA awards.

Prior to Nomadland Zhao wrote and directed The Rider, and most recently Marvel Studio’s Eternals.

Searchlight Television’s first production The Dropout – a Hulu Original limited series produced in conjunction with 20th Television – won an Emmy Award for Best Actress for Amanda Seyfried earlier this month and earned an additional 5 nominations.

Searchlight Television is also producing the Hulu Original variety series History Of The World, Part II, a follow up to the classic Mel Brooks comedy film in partnership with 20th Television; an eight-part series adaptation of The Full Monty in partnership with FX and co-commissioned by Disney+ and FX; and the Spanish-language limited series La Máquina with Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna, both also for Hulu. The division develops and produces series for streaming, network, and cable partners.