Tracy Oliver and Issa Rae smiling together at a Hollywood industry event
TV & Film

Issa Rae and Tracy Oliver's New Open Marriage Drama Sparks 7-Way Bidding War

The hitmaking duo's upcoming hourlong series project 'Open' is officially the hottest pitch in Hollywood.

By Nina BrooksPublished Updated 2 min read

Hollywood has a massive new bidding war on its hands, and it features two of the sharpest creative visionaries in the business. *Insecure* mastermind Issa Rae and *Girls Trip* writer Tracy Oliver have teamed up to co-create a compelling new television series, and buyers across the industry are reportedly pulling out all the stops to secure it. The project, titled *Open*, is an hourlong drama focusing on the intricate dynamics of a married couple who decide to test the boundaries of their vows by opening up their relationship. Industry outlets report that the pitch was recently shopped around to top buyers, quickly igniting a frenzy that yielded seven competitive offers from major platforms and networks. The buzzworthy drama is coming out of Paramount Television Studios, developed under Rae’s ongoing first-look deal with the studio. Combining Oliver’s knack for sharp, emotional storytelling with Rae’s signature cultural insight, the project instantly transformed into one of the most sought-after scripts on the market.

What is Issa Rae's new show Open about?

While specific character details are still being kept under wraps, the narrative dives headfirst into modern romance, jealousy, and the messy realities that come with renegotiating traditional relationship rules. Both creators have built careers on exploring intimate, authentic human connections, making this topic a natural fit for their combined talents. Oliver has continuously delivered crowd-pleasing hits, writing the blockbuster comedy *Girls Trip* and creating fan-favorite series such as Prime Video’s *Harlem* and BET+’s *The First Wives Club*. Rae revolutionized modern television with her Emmy-nominated HBO hit *Insecure*, subsequently executive producing *Rap Sh!t* and expanding her footprint as an actress in major feature films like *Barbie*.

Tracy Oliver and Issa Rae smiling together at a Hollywood industry event
Tracy Oliver and Issa Rae smiling together at a Hollywood industry event

Where will Issa Rae and Tracy Oliver's Open stream?

While an official winner in the bidding war has not yet been named, a deal is expected to close rapidly as buyers try to outbid one another. Given the strong interest and multiple offers on the table, the series is almost guaranteed to land a major platform commitment with significant promotional backing. The overwhelming demand for *Open* reinforces just how valuable provocative relationship dramas remain when driven by proven hitmakers. As networks continue to hunt for their next flagship hit, the Rae-Oliver collaboration is poised to be one of the most talked-about small-screen debuts in the coming years.

More like this

Get the pop news brief

One daily email. The biggest celebrity, music and TV stories, no filler.

Reader reaction

Loading comments…

People also ask

What is the premise of Issa Rae and Tracy Oliver's new show Open?
Open is an hourlong drama series following a married couple who decide to open up their relationship, exploring the emotional dynamics and messy consequences of that choice.
Who is producing the drama series Open?
The series is co-created by Issa Rae and Tracy Oliver, with Paramount Television Studios producing under Rae's first-look deal.