Zac Efron to star in and executive produce 'Angel Heart' series
Synopsis
Zac Efron is stepping into one of Hollywood's most intriguing IP revivals — a series adaptation of 'Angel Heart', the supernatural noir rooted in the 1978 novel 'Falling Angel' and the cult 1987 film. With 'Black Rabbit' writer Zach Baylin scripting and a deep producer bench behind it, this is the most ambitious project on Efron's increasingly serious post-'Iron Claw' slate.
Key Takeaways
Zac Efron will star in and executive produce the new drama series 'Angel Heart' .
The show is written and executive produced by Zach Baylin , creator of 'Black Rabbit' .
It is based on the 1978 novel 'Falling Angel' and its sequel, previously adapted into the 1987 film starring Mickey Rourke and Robert De Niro .
The series follows a New York City paparazzi hired to find a missing woman, uncovering a conspiracy involving powerful elites and possible supernatural forces.
Efron also has 'Famous' and 'Judgment Day' (opposite Will Ferrell ) in his upcoming pipeline.
Zac Efron is set to headline and executive produce 'Angel Heart', an upcoming one-hour drama series that blends noir mystery with supernatural horror. The show marks one of Efron's most ambitious television commitments to date, pairing him with acclaimed screenwriter Zach Baylin, creator of 'Black Rabbit', who is also writing and executive producing.
Source Material and Premise
The series draws from two literary sources: the 1978 horror novel 'Falling Angel' and its sequel 'Angel's Inferno'. The original novel was previously adapted into the 1987 cult film 'Angel Heart', starring Mickey Rourke and Robert De Niro. The new series expands on that dark world for a contemporary audience.
According to the official logline, the show follows “a down-and-out NYC paparazzi, who makes his living finding and photographing people who don't want to be found, is hired by a mysterious man to find a missing woman. But the deeper he digs to find her, the more it looks like a group of powerful elites, and maybe something supernatural, are covering up the disappearance.”
Production Team
The series carries a substantial producing roster. Marc Toberoff, Max Hjortsberg, Lorca Hjortsberg, Alice P. Neuhauser, Baylin, and Kate Susman executive produce for Youngblood Pictures. Joe Hipps produces for Cut To, alongside Stuart Manashil, Kevin Turen, and Harrison Kreiss.
Efron's Recent and Upcoming Projects
Efron last collaborated with A24 on the 2023 biographical sports drama 'The Iron Claw', in which he portrayed troubled wrestler Kevin Von Erich to considerable critical notice. He has two further projects in the pipeline: Jody Hill's thriller 'Famous', where he plays a 38-year-old man who exploits his resemblance to a movie star to chase showbiz dreams; and Nicholas Stoller's 'Judgment Day', in which he stars opposite Will Ferrell as a reality TV judge taken hostage on air by a disgruntled contestant.
What to Watch
No network or streaming home for 'Angel Heart' has been announced yet, according to reports. Given Efron's post-'Iron Claw' momentum and Baylin's rising profile, the project is expected to attract significant platform interest. The combination of a beloved cult-film IP, a high-profile lead, and a supernatural noir premise positions it as one of the more closely watched drama packages in development.
Point of View
And where it lands will say something about which streamer is most aggressively chasing the adult-drama audience in 2025.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'Angel Heart' series about?
'Angel Heart' is a one-hour drama series following a down-and-out New York City paparazzi hired by a mysterious man to locate a missing woman, only to uncover a conspiracy involving powerful elites and possible supernatural forces. It is based on the 1978 horror novel 'Falling Angel' and its sequel 'Angel's Inferno'.
What is Zac Efron's role in the 'Angel Heart' series?
Zac Efron will both star in and executive produce the series, making it one of his most significant behind-the-scenes commitments alongside his on-screen lead role.
How does the new series relate to the 1987 'Angel Heart' film?
The 1987 film 'Angel Heart', starring Mickey Rourke and Robert De Niro, was itself an adaptation of the 1978 novel 'Falling Angel'. The new series draws from both that novel and its sequel, 'Angel's Inferno', giving it a broader literary foundation than the original film.
Who is writing the 'Angel Heart' series?
The series is written and executive produced by Zach Baylin, best known as the creator of 'Black Rabbit'. He is joined by a large producing team including Marc Toberoff, Max Hjortsberg, and Kevin Turen, among others.
What other projects does Zac Efron have coming up?
Efron has two additional projects in development: 'Famous', a thriller directed by Jody Hill in which he plays a man who uses his resemblance to a movie star to pursue showbiz dreams; and 'Judgment Day', directed by Nicholas Stoller, in which he stars opposite Will Ferrell as a reality TV judge taken hostage on air.
