Netflix lands exclusive overall deal with 'Transplant' creator Joseph Kay

Joseph Kay, the creator of the medical drama Transplant, signed an exclusive overall deal with Netflix on Wednesday. The agreement allows the writer to develop and produce new television series specifically for the Canadian market.

Kay’s first project under this new partnership will be an untitled family drama. He will handle both the development and writing phases of this upcoming series.

The writer has a recent history with the streaming platform. He served as a consulting producer on the second season of North of North, an Arctic-set comedy. That series also airs on CBC and is scheduled to return to screens on Nov. 5. Additionally, Kay co-executive produced Netflix’s upcoming adaptation of the novel This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune.

Transplant ran for four seasons on NBC in the United States. The show followed Dr. Bashir "Bash" Hamed, a Syrian refugee who worked as a doctor in a Toronto trauma unit. Hamza Haq portrayed the physician, who relied on his emergency medicine skills to rebuild his career in Canada. He was joined by his younger sister, Amira, played by Sirena Gulamgaus, as the siblings attempted to establish a new life together. The production was handled by Sphère Média Plus in association with CTV and NBCUniversal International Studios.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Kay expressed his gratitude for the new partnership. "I am beyond grateful and thrilled to partner with this incredible company," he said. He noted his "huge admiration for Netflix's entire team, and for their unsurpassed drive to tell great stories and connect with audiences around the world."

Danielle Woodrow and Tara Woodbury, directors of content at Netflix Canada, released their own statement praising the writer. They described Kay as "a seasoned and gifted creator and showrunner, who is also adept at supporting other writers." The executives stated that the company has enjoyed previous collaborations and is pleased to expand the relationship.

Kay is represented by Dustin Alpern and Conrad Sun at Sundust Management. Casey Chisick of Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP negotiated the terms of the overall deal.