Most streaming services aren’t bold or brave enough to play Netflix at its own game, but Prime Video has no issues tapping into one of its rival’s most consistent sources of content in order to carve itself off a slice of the pie.
Since first signing a development deal with Netflix in August 2018, the works of author Harlan Coben have given rise to eight TV shows, with a ninth on the way. The projects have covered the international spectrum, too, with the United Kingdom’s The Stranger, Stay Close, and Safe being joined by Poland’s The Woods and Hold Tight, Spain’s The Innocent, and France’s Gone for Good, with Fool Me Once next on the docket.
Even though Coben re-upped his deal with Netflix for another four years in October of 2022, the writer clearly isn’t interested in being tied down, with Prime Video dropping the first trailer for Shelter, inspired by the novel of the same name.
The story finds a youngster starting a new life in New Jersey following the death of his father, only for Mickey Bolitar to end up being drawn into the mysterious disappearance of a new schoolmate, which cracks open a can of worms exposing dark secrets the local community has sought to keep hidden for years.
It sounds like fairly standard Coben to be honest, but if Shelter can match the quality and intrigue levels found over on Netflix, then audiences are going to be the real winners at the end of the day, and the rivalry could even spur each company on to try and keep raising its game when it comes to mining the back catalogue for further inspiration.