Over the past few years, the question I have probably been asked on this website more than any other is: When will Spy School become a movie or TV series? Well, the first step in that process has begun.
Here are the important points to know:
The show is being developed by Fox TV for Disney +.
It will be a streaming series, most likely with each season being one book in the series.
It will be live action, not animated.
Chris Fedak will be the showrunner. Previously, Chris created the show Chuck, which was also a CIA action-comedy. Interestingly, it is also the show that more CIA agents have told me is their favorite CIA show than any other.
It is being produced by Maximum Effort, which Ryan Reynolds’ production company, and by Emma Watts, who has shepherded such films as The Kingsmen, Deadpool and the Avatar films.
Now, I figure you have a lot of questions. I will try to answer some of them.
Does this guarantee that the show will be on the air?
No. It is only the first step in what might be a long process. There is also a chance that, yet again, the whole thing might fall apart and not happen.
Why is it so hard to get a show or a movie made?
Because making a streaming TV show (or a movie) is really really really expensive. So a lot of things have to go right to make the studio decide to spend all that money.
What is a showrunner?
In TV, a writer generally oversees the show. Multiple writers will work on the show, but Chris will really be in charge. He is also writing the pilot episode.
Why is someone else the showrunner instead of you, Mr. Gibbs?
Because being a showrunner is a big job. I don’t have time to do it and write all my books. However, I am a producer on the show and will be involved in developing the season and will maybe even write an episode (or two).
Wait. Didn’t Disney + turn down the idea of doing Spy School several years ago?
Yes.
What changed their minds?
I’m not sure, but I’m thrilled that they’re giving it another shot. I think Disney + is the right place for the show.
Can I be in the show?
That is not my decision. I am not in charge of casting.
Well, I’m a really good actor. Could you ask the casting person to consider me?
No.
Why not?
Because the casting person’s job is to find talent to play the characters on the show. My job is to write the books that the show is based on. The casting director does not make suggestions about what I should write in my books. And I don’t make suggestions about who they should hire.
However, if the casting director decides there will be an open casting call for the series, then I promise to post about it on my blog.
Do you know who is going to play any of the characters yet?
No. Casting has not begun. And as of this time, I am not sure when it might start.
Do you have any idea when the show might be ready for viewing?
No. But as of right now, July 9, 2026, I would say it will probably be at least a year.
Hopefully, I will have more good news to report about the show in the coming months, Stay tuned to this blog for more details!
Harrison Stansifer –
Good to hear from you again. I think reading the SS books on the exact dates they take place wouldn’t be the easiest way to read them. Especially since, say, book one jumps ahead three weeks at one point.
Mr. Gibbs-
It’s good to be here again! I was thinking about doing it this way since I’m his age now, I’d feel it’d be pretty fun. Thanks for your opinion though!
-Harry
(P.S. By some coincidence, Disney also ordered a test pilot for a Last Kids on Earth TV Show and got distribution rights for the Warrior Cats show, two of my other favorite book series. That’s strange, what are the odds!)
(P.P.S I really hope that they don’t remove the LGBTQ representation in the show. As someone who has recently discovered himself, I think you’ve done a really good job at portraying it from what I’ve seen.)
(P.P.P.S Last thing: Just a pitch, but I think it’d be pretty cool if you did a Spy School themed ARG/Worldwide Treasure hunt, akin to the Gravity Falls Cipher Hunt or the more recent Sonic the Hedgehog Chaos Hunt.)
That’s all for now, but if I have anything else I’ll ask you! Thanks for everything, sir!
Im really excited for this. I’ve always wanted a series. Hope its as epic as the books!
Mr. Gibbs, how many episodes do u think there will be in the show? Also, will every book be one episode and that’s the whole show, or will we also see what happens in between missions that aren’t mentioned in the books? (p.s., I know that Ben is the main character of the series, but one book where different chapters are from different perspectives like from trixie’s, erica’s, or mike’s would be so cool!)
On are scale from 1-10 how exited are you? I am 1000000 exited for it!
Veronica
Every season of the show will be one book. That means there will probably be scenes on the show that did not appear in the books, and those could certainly involve other characters’ perspectives. I do not know how many episodes there will be every season though.
penny
I am extremely excited for this to finally happen.
omg its really happening its so exsiting also is they are castings could it be internacional im from south america and could you go to multiple schools just asking.
hope disney atcepts itt i have litterally read all books well im reading spy school blackout but stilll
I’m posting on this website again after like, a year or something.
Hi Mr. Gibbs,
What do you think are some advantages and disadvantages of a TV adaptation of your series or any book general?
Alvin
The big difference is that a movie requires cuts to the story whereas a TV show requires additions, so either way the story is going to change. Some viewers will have issues with that, but everyone needs to remember that a book and a TV show are two markedly different methods of telling a story.
Mr. Gibbs-
THIS IS HUGE NEWS!!! I CAN”T WAIT!!!
hi mrgibbs
when they decide to do the castings could ou go to varus countrys i live on south america and also im sooo exitedddd
Yay! My friend has been trying to convince me to read the books and what I did I just fell in love with all the characters. So excited!
jess
I honestly do not know how casting will be run. Sorry. That will be run by the casting department. Once I know what is happening, I will share the information on this site.