Fox and Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat sign deal to develop vertical series for film and TV
Fox Entertainment Studios will get first-look rights to film and TV projects drawn from Hartbeat’s vertical series. The partnership starts with 25 live-action titles set to premiere on a new Codeblack-branded channel on My Drama.
variety.comKevin Hart’s Hartbeat Inks Vertical Series Deal With Fox Entertainment
hollywoodreporter.comFox Entertainment and Hartbeat Ink Deal to Mine Microdramas for Film and TV Adaptation
A pipeline for film and television
Fox Entertainment and Kevin Hart’s production company Hartbeat have signed a partnership giving Fox Entertainment Studios first-look rights to film and television projects derived from vertical series released under the Codeblack, Essence and Revolt brands.
Fox said the short-form dramas will test stories and characters with audiences before they move into development for longer formats. Fox Entertainment Global will distribute the original series worldwide after their initial platform runs.
25 titles to launch on My Drama
The partnership begins with 25 live-action titles spanning drama, thriller and faith-based content. They will premiere on a new Codeblack-branded channel on My Drama, the vertical video platform operated by Holywater Tech.
Codeblack, Essence and Revolt have a combined social media following exceeding 20 million. Viewers will be able to subscribe to the Codeblack channel separately or as part of the broader My Drama offering.
Building on earlier deals
Fox Entertainment Studios’ head of scripted, Hannah Pillemer, said the partnership would allow the company to identify ideas in the vertical format, assess audience response in real time and give successful stories a path into film and television.
Fox took an equity stake in Holywater in 2025, and its work with the company includes a commitment to produce 200 microdramas over two years. Hartbeat also signed a first-look deal last year with Fox-owned Tubi for four creator-driven films.
