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!
UPDATE November 4, 2026
I know it has been a while since I posted about this. Chris, the showrunner, has written the pilot episode and Disney+ likes it. Now, it is up to Disney+ to decide what to do. I believe they are working on budgets for the show and thinking about casting, all of which may take some time.
I am hoping that all of this leads to a positive outcome and that the show will continue development or maybe even move into production. When I have further news, I will post about it.
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.
Dang
What can we expect it to be like? Is it going to be somewhat similar to how Percy Jackson looks? (I know that is a bad comparison, but you get the idea) Also, congrats !!
Quinn
I really have no idea what it will be like. That will be the result of hundreds of people’s ideas and input, from the showrunner to the producers to the director to the production designer to the costumers and so on. A TV show is a collaborative effort.
I have a question Mr Gibbs if movie of Charlie Thorne or moon base alpha or fun jungle will come out too or TV show
Sevi s s
I would love for all my books to be turned into movies or shows, but so far there is no progress on that front.
Hi!
I am so thrilled that Spy School is being turned into a movie/series! I discovered SS a few years ago and, as soon as I read the first chapter, I fell in love with the series. I think they are AMAZING! I was wondering if the movie would be accurate to the books because I would be so disappointed if they weren’t.
I can’t wait to watch it!
P.S I live in England so I was curious as to when it will come out in England. I hope you keep writing these books. Keep up the good work!
Damaris
Keep in mind that a book and a TV show are two radically different ways of telling a story, so there will need to be some changes.
I don’t know if the show would come out later in England than America.
Hi! Mr Gibbs I absolutely fell in love with the spy school series and have been praying for a series to come out. I can’t wait for my school libraries to get the new book and being thirteen with special shills of my own really made this book series find a way in my heart.
Along with all of your other books spy school is the BEST!!!!!!!
(p.s. I secretly hope that there will be one more charlie thorn book because I feel that her stories is incomplete but it’s your decision in the end)
With sincere hopes,
Jacob
Mr Gibbs! So excited I have read every single book that you have ever published on my kindle and would LOVE to get paperback copy’s of them all if that is something you can do that would be GREAT also pls come to Denver CO
P.S. Add more books to the Charlie Thorne Series
Connor Messineo
All books come out in paperback about a year after they come out in hardcover.
I love Denver. Would love to visit again, though no bookstore or school there has booked me in a while.
Dear Mr. Gibbs,
Do you know when casting will open up?
By the way, how many Spy School books are you planning to make?
Sophie C
I have no updates on casting at this time.
I do not know how many SS books there will be.
Hi Mr. Gibbs,
I’m so excited for the series! These are my favorite books, and I’m so happy! I just finished SSGE, and am really surprised. I loved the book, and I just wanted to ask, have you ever been inside a tank?
Miraya –
Thanks for the kind words. I have been inside a very old tank at a museum, but not a newer one.
That’s great news!! I’ve been wanting a Spy School series for years. But will the plot and characters stay the same?
Alex
The idea is for the plot and characters to stay the same — keeping in mind that a TV series is not a book, and so the story will be told somewhat differently.
Hi Mr Gibbs
Im really happy for you!!! Im so Exited for the series. Also i have a question,how will the auditons be will they be online or in person (i suggest online since i dont live on the more crowded parts ) And finnaly have you visited south america and if so what was your favorite part about it!!!
Valentina
I do not know how the auditions will be conducted.
I have loved every place I have visited in South America: the Galapagos, the Amazon, Machu Picchu, Iguazu Falls, Buenos Aires, Tierra Del Fuego and much more.
When do you expect the cast to come out? Do you have an estimate on when the first season is going to come out?
Mr. Gibbs,
I have love the books you have made. You are my favorite author, (That’s hard to beat because I LOVE Harry Potter.) The words you use make my imagination go wild. I am so excited for this tv series. I cant thank you enough for making this happen.
I know you might not take this into account, but I feel like Erica should should have straight dark brown or black hair, Ben should have brown curly short hair, Zoe should have blonde curly hair, Warren should have a mowhawk and green glasses, Ashly should have light brown wavy hair, Nefarious should have flat blonde hair, and Alexander should have flat black hair. I know you don’t cast the people but maybe you could try to talk to the casting crew and try to make that happen?
(Ps. I would be great for Ashly or Zoe)
Alana –
First of all, thanks for your kind words about my books.
As far as casting is concerned, that is up to the casting director, but I can assure you of one thing: The priority will be on who are the best actors, not on what they look like. And as for hair, that’s up to the make-up and hairstyling departments. It is not my job to tell them what to do, just like it is not their job to tell me how to write the books.
I do not know when casting will be done or when there will be a first season — or if there will even be a first season at all.
mr.gibbs, i realy hope the shows are as exiding as the books ! also hews playing erica
Evelyn schwander
No casting has been done for the show yet.
Hi this is my fav book series and I really hope it gets turned into a series also have you ever gone to Oklahoma for a signing because I know a bunch of my friends have been dying to get their books signed
P.S how do you brainstorm all these ideas and make one book almost every year
Logan Fuentes
Believe it or not, Oklahoma is the only state I have not been to. I have never been invited there for a signing or school visits.
I discuss some of my writing here:
https://stuartgibbsmissionwrite.com
Although, for the record, I make far more than one book almost every year. This year, I will publish six books and graphic novels.