Netflix turning Fatherhood into a TV series (but without Kevin Hart in the lead)

You probably didn't see this one coming, but not much has been predictable lately with streaming services and their content. In what seems like a first for Netflix, the streamer has officially put a brand new series into development based on its 2021 drama movie Fatherhood starring Kevin Hart.

According to Deadline, Netflix has "fast tracked" the film-to-series adaptation, which comes from Barack and Michelle Obama's production company Higher Ground, Hart's Hartbeat, and Temple Hill. Paul Weitz directed and co-wrote the film and will return to write and direct the series, but the film's star and producer likely won't be back in the same capacity as before.

As reported by the outlet, Hart's role will likely be recast with another actor, but he will remain involved with the Fatherhood series as an executive producer. Additional details, including the show's plot, haven't been revealed. Being so, it's likely that the series could follow the same premise with different characters or the same characters and a different cast.

The movie, which was intended for a theatrical release by Sony before the pandemic, first released on Netflix back in June 2021 and found success. Fatherhood holds a 66% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and ranked as the streamer's most popular title during the weekend of its release. Within its first month on Netflix, it was watched by 61 million households (that's good, if you're wondering).

In Fatherhood, Hart plays Matthew Logelin, a widowed father learning the ways of single fatherhood with his daughter Maddy while also navigating his grief. His wife passed away after the birth of their first child. Throughout the movie, Matt learns to juggle being a present dad with his career and a new romance. Fatherhood also stars Alfre Woodard Lil Rel Howery, DeWanda Wise, Anthony Carrigan, and Paul Reiser.

While unexpected and a first for Netflix to turn one of its original movies into a television series, Fatherhood actually makes the perfect choice. Like when NBC adapted the films About a Boy and Parenthood into series, the options for storytelling and character arcs are endless, and they don't necessarily need to go by the book (or in this case, the movie). Let's see what happens next!

Watch the trailer for the 2021 movie in the video below:

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