‘Spy School’ TV Series in the Works at Disney+, Ryan Reynolds’ Maximum Effort to Produce
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Disney+ is developing a television adaptation of Stuart Gibbs' bestselling "Spy School" young-adult novels, with Chris Fedak attached to write and executive produce and Ryan Reynolds' Maximum Effort banner among the producers. The project marks another push by Disney+ into YA book-to-series adaptations and brings a well-known children's book franchise, which has sold more than 12 million copies collectively, to the streamer.
The story follows teenager Ben Ripley, who dreams of joining the CIA and is recruited to what he believes is a science-focused magnet school, only to discover it is a front for a CIA academy. There are 14 books in the series, running from the first "Spy School" in 2012 to "Spy School Goes East", due in October 2026. Fedak, best known for co-creating NBC's "Chuck", executive produces alongside Emma Watts, Maximum Effort and Gibbs, with 20th Television — where Maximum Effort has a first-look deal — serving as studio. The series joins other Disney+ YA adaptations including "Percy Jackson", a live-action "Eragon" and "Animorphs".
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Disney+ regularly turns young-adult book series into television shows, and the streamer is now developing one based on Stuart Gibbs' "Spy School" novels, a franchise that has sold more than 12 million copies since the first book was published in 2012. The books follow Ben Ripley, a teenager who wants to work for the CIA and is recruited to what he thinks is a school for gifted science students, only to find it is secretly a training academy for young spies.
The project brings together several notable names. Chris Fedak, known for co-creating the US spy comedy series "Chuck", is set to write and executive produce, while actor Ryan Reynolds' production company, Maximum Effort, is one of the producers, alongside studio 20th Television, producer Emma Watts and Gibbs himself.
The adaptation adds to a growing list of young-adult book series that Disney+ has turned into shows or films, including "Percy Jackson", "Eragon" and "Animorphs", reflecting a wider trend among streamers to draw on established book fandoms for new content.
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