Man on Fire: New Netflix action thriller will be a mash-up of The Night Agent and The Lincoln Lawyer

The Night Agent debuted on Netflix in March 2023 with a surefire bang, solidifying the power of action-thriller series on Netflix. Following the debut of the hit page-to-screen political drama, viewers clearly want more. While a number of action-thriller series will be back on Netflix later this year and next, the streamer has also ordered an adaptation of Man on Fire.

Man on Fire, which was previously adapted into the hit 2004 film starring Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning, is a series of five thriller novels by the late British author A. J. Quinnell. The Netflix series will adapt the first two books in the series — Man on Fire and The Perfect Kill — and will count writer Kyle Killen as showrunner. Killen previously worked on titles like Fear Street and Halo.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix has been quietly hard at work on developing the Man on Fire series as the streamer and rights holder New Regency searched for a writer and showrunner to helm the project. With his background, Killen will expertly help continue to lead Netflix down a path of character-driven thrillers like The Night Agent and The Lincoln Lawyer.

Man on Fire sounds like The Night Agent meets The Lincoln Lawyer

In the past year, Netflix has found great success with original series that combine action, adventure, mystery, and enjoyable characters. The Lincoln Lawyer adapts the novels in Michael Connelly’s Mickey Haller series, while The Night Agent adapts Matthew Quirk’s novel of the same name. There’s something to be said about digestible airport reads hitting the small screen.

While The Lincoln Lawyer has already been renewed for a second season (as well as fellow thriller series The Recruit), The Night Agent appears to be on track for a second season renewal, and that’s just mere days after its release. The series shot to the peak of the top 10, further proving the desire for and staying power of fast-paced action-thriller series on Netflix.

In the eight-episode first season of Man on Fire, ex-mercenary John Creasy (to be cast) embarks on a mission to avenge his friend while he’s also tasked with protecting his friend’s daughter. With the books to back up the story, the protagonist fighting for what’s right, and the added layer of protecting someone in danger, the show sounds like the perfect tonal mash-up of The Night Agent and The Lincoln Lawyer. It will fit right in with Netflix’s catalog of action-thriller series.

Have you read the Man on Fire books? Are you excited for the series coming to Netflix? Share your thoughts in the comments!