EXCLUSIVE: As he marks his 40th anniversary at Warner Bros. Television this year, Emmy-winning TV producer John Wells has signed a new overall deal extension with the studio. He has three on-air series, including The Pitt, the top current drama on WBTV’s roster — and arguably on all of television.
Under the pact, Wells will remain based at WBTV where the veteran writer-producer-director has been working for virtually his entire TV career to date, since landing a story editor job there in 1986. Wells will continue to develop original series for the studio through his John Wells Productions for all platforms, including Warner Bros. Discovery’s HBO and HBO Max, external streaming services and the U.S. broadcast networks.
Terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but according to sources, the three-year extension starts next year and goes through mid-2030. Its size is believed to be comparable to the current three-year extension that followed the five-year, nine-figure overall pact Wells signed with WBTV in 2019.
Watch on Deadline
Warner Bros. Television stepping up ahead of time to secure its longest-tenured producer — who is also among its most prolific and decorated — is significant as it comes during a period of uncertainly for the studio whose parent company Warner Bros. Discovery is in the process of being acquired by the David Ellison-led Paramount.
Faced with the dilemma of making a long-term commitment when things are in flux, Quinta Brunson, creator of one of WBTV’s biggest current comedy hits, Abbott Elementary, moved to Disney’s 20th Television when her overall deal was up earlier this summer.
Over his four decades, Wells has executive produced a slew of successful and acclaimed WBTV series, including ER, The West Wing, Southland, Shameless, Third Watch and Animal Kingdom, which have earned over 300 Emmy nominations, 70 Emmy wins and seven Peabody Awards.
Wells recently helped reinvent the broadcast model for the streaming era with the HBO Max medical drama The Pitt, which blends network-style yearly release pattern, large order (15 episode) and a modest budget with streaming-style storytelling.
His deal renewal comes amid the success of The Pitt, which he executive produces alongside fellow ER alums R. Scott Gemmill and star Noah Wyle. It is a big hit for HBO Max that continues to grow — the most recent second season ranked as the most watched series of any kind on the streamer this year, with viewership every week outpacing the first season.
The Pitt also is the most heralded current drama on TV, a reigning Outstanding Drama Series Emmy winner, which leads all programs at the 2026 Emmy nominations with 25, including Drama Series.
Wells also executive produces two WBTV series for Netflix. Untamed starring Eric Bana, whose breakout success as a limited series led to its renewal, recently wrapped production on Season 2. The upcoming Unaccustomed Earth, an adaptation of Jhumpa Lahiri’s short story collection on which Wells serves as showrunner, is set to debut later this year.
“John Wells is an iconic storyteller whose work continues to leave an indelible mark on our culture,” said Channing Dungey, Chairman and CEO, Warner Bros.Television Group and WBD US Networks. “He is one of the most respected and accomplished creative talents in our industry and we are immensely proud that he has called Warner Bros. home for 40 years. We look forward to continuing to support his creative endeavors for years to come.”
Wells is repped by CAA and Hansen Jacobson Teller.