HBO Max is expanding its lineup of classic procedural series with Debbie, a new legal drama that will be executive produced by and features Gabrielle Union in discussions to star. The project joins HBO Max’s portfolio of year-round series following the model established by the award-winning medical drama The Pitt.
Written and executive produced by The Fosters co-creator Bradley Bredeweg and Missed Call co-creator Matthew Thomas, Debbie follows Debbie Powell, a former high-powered attorney who experiences a public downfall and rebuilds her career as a public defender in Atlanta. The series explores themes of reinvention and the delicate boundary between justice and survival as Union’s character fights for those overlooked by the system.
Union will executive produce through her production company I’ll Have Another alongside Bredeweg, Thomas, and Jenny Frankfurt. The series represents HBO Max’s continued investment in legal procedurals, complementing existing pilots including American Blue and David E. Kelley’s Welcome To Catalina.
Debbie enters development as HBO Max continues building its slate of procedurals following the success of The Pitt, which produces 15 episodes annually at moderate costs. The streamer has positioned itself with projects across the classic “cop, doctor, lawyer” genres.
Union’s recent credits include Being Mary Jane, L.A.’s Finest, and Truth Be Told. She is represented by CAA, Range Media Partners, and Felker McGinnis & Ryan.
Bredeweg is represented by UTA, 42, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman. Thomas is represented by Artists First and attorney Mark Temple. Frankfurt is represented by Gregg Gellman at Yorn Levine.