Montreal-based producer Muse Entertainment has bolstered its expansion into non-fiction programming by hiring industry veteran Jennifer Harkness as senior vice president of global development and partnerships. The appointment, announced exclusively by Deadline, signals a strategic shift for the company, known for its scripted dramas, toward premium documentaries and unscripted content. Harkness, who brings over a decade of experience in factual television, will be based in Los Angeles and report directly to Jonas Prupas, managing director of Muse Entertainment Enterprises.
Harkness joins Muse after six years at Blue Ant Studios, where she served as senior vice president of development and production. During her tenure there, she oversaw the creation of several high-profile series, including Peacock's Epstein’s Shadow: Ghislaine Maxwell, which delved into the scandals surrounding the financier and his associate; Prince Andrew: Banished, examining the British royal's fall from grace; and Casey Anthony: Where the Truth Lies, a controversial exploration of the infamous Florida case. She also contributed to Amazon's Comedy Punks: The Kids in the Hall, a documentary on the legendary sketch comedy troupe.
Prior to Blue Ant, Harkness worked at Cream Productions, where she executive produced The Story of Late Night for CNN, a series that traced the evolution of late-night television through interviews with hosts and producers. Her career trajectory highlights a knack for blending investigative journalism with compelling narratives, a skill set that Muse executives believe will drive their non-fiction ambitions.
At Muse, Harkness will collaborate closely with Courtney Dobbins, vice president of unscripted and documentary programming. The duo aims to develop projects that appeal to global audiences, leveraging Muse's existing footprint in international co-productions. Muse has already dipped its toes into unscripted waters with projects like Amazon's The Unsolved Murder of Beverly Lynn Smith, a true-crime series about a decades-old Canadian cold case, and Shudder's Cursed Films, which investigates the alleged hexes behind Hollywood blockbusters.
The company's scripted portfolio remains robust, featuring hits like CBC's Coroner, a forensic drama that has garnered international acclaim for its gripping storytelling and diverse cast. Recent developments include Freeform picking up the holiday movie Turkey Drop starring Olivia Holt, produced by Muse, and NBC developing the tornado drama American Disaster from the same studio. These projects underscore Muse's versatility, but the hire of Harkness points to a deliberate pivot toward factual content amid a booming market for documentaries and reality formats.
Jonas Prupas praised Harkness's credentials in a statement to Deadline. “Jennifer is one of the most respected creative executives in premium factual television,” he said. “Her track record in developing award-winning, globally resonant series, combined with her deep relationships across the international marketplace, makes her uniquely positioned to help Muse expand its documentary and unscripted ambitions worldwide. This role reflects where we see the greatest opportunity for growth.”
Harkness echoed the enthusiasm, expressing her excitement about the opportunity. “Muse has built a strong reputation for bold, internationally focused storytelling, and I’m excited to be joining at a moment when the company is clearly looking to build and scale its premium factual slate,” she said. “I’m looking forward to working closely with the team to develop ambitious projects and deepen partnerships with broadcasters and platforms around the world.”
Muse Entertainment, founded in 1998, has evolved from a boutique scripted producer to a player in the global content arena. Headquartered in Montreal with offices in Los Angeles and Toronto, the company has co-produced over 100 hours of programming annually, partnering with networks like Netflix, Amazon, and the BBC. Its non-fiction push comes at a time when streaming platforms are increasingly investing in true-crime and investigative docs to attract subscribers seeking authentic, edge-of-your-seat content.
The entertainment industry has seen a surge in such hires as studios chase the success of hits like Netflix's Making a Murderer or HBO's The Jinx. Blue Ant Studios, Harkness's former employer, continues to thrive in this space, with recent projects including additional true-crime installments. While Muse's move is not unprecedented—many scripted outfits are diversifying—Harkness's international network could give the company an edge in securing co-financing from European and Asian broadcasters.
Industry observers note that the non-fiction market is projected to grow by 15% annually through 2028, according to reports from PwC's Global Entertainment & Media Outlook. Muse's strategy aligns with this trend, potentially positioning it to compete with larger players like ITV Studios or Banijay. However, challenges remain, including navigating regulatory hurdles in international distribution and ensuring ethical standards in sensitive factual storytelling.
Harkness's role will involve scouting talent, pitching concepts, and forging alliances with platforms hungry for exclusive content. Sources close to the company suggest early discussions are underway for a slate of three to five new documentaries, though details remain under wraps. One potential focus could be on untold stories from North American history, building on Muse's Canadian roots.
The hire also reflects broader shifts in the Canadian production landscape. With government incentives like the Canada Media Fund supporting unscripted formats, Muse is well-placed to capitalize. Prupas, who has led the company since 2015, has previously emphasized innovation, telling Variety in a 2022 interview that “storytelling knows no genre boundaries—we're about pushing envelopes wherever the audience takes us.”
As Muse ramps up, competitors are watching closely. Blue Ant, for instance, has not commented on Harkness's departure but continues to expand its factual division. Meanwhile, other Canadian firms like Shaftesbury have similarly hired U.S.-based execs to bridge markets. This cross-border talent flow underscores the interconnectedness of North American entertainment.
Looking ahead, Harkness's integration could yield announcements at upcoming industry events like the International Documentary Association's annual conference in November or NATPE in Miami come January. For now, the focus is on internal alignment, with Dobbins and her team reportedly brainstorming pilots that blend Muse's dramatic flair with factual rigor.
In an era where audiences crave authenticity amid fictional overload, Muse's bet on non-fiction could redefine its legacy. As Prupas put it, this is about “greatest opportunity for growth,” a sentiment that resonates across the industry's evolving terrain. With Harkness at the helm of development, the company appears poised to deliver stories that not only inform but captivate on a global scale.