In This Article
- The cast and the team behind Rules of Prey
- What the eight episodes will cover
- Sandford's debut and the Prey series
John Sandford's long-running Prey novel series is heading to the small screen. The Twin Cities Pioneer Press reported that the books are being adapted for the streamer MGM+, starring Jensen Ackles, with Bruce Terris as showrunner and executive producer.
Sandford is a former Pioneer Press reporter and columnist, which gives the story a local angle as well as a literary one. Yahoo's syndicated coverage of the news makes the same point about his newspaper past.
The cast and the team behind Rules of Prey
The series has been shaping up quickly. Deadline reported that Peter Outerbridge, Cody Ray Thompson and David Klein have joined the series regulars alongside Ackles, Lucy Fry and Amanda Brugel.
Terris created the show, and MovieWeb notes that he recently made waves for his work on the HBO Max series DTF St. Louis. Sandford himself is involved: Screen Rant reports that he serves as a co-producer on the adaptation.
MGM+ announced the greenlight on September 22, 2026, and Variety confirmed the eight-episode order. Screen Rant adds that there is no confirmed release date yet.
What the eight episodes will cover
According to Deadline, the season follows Lucas Davenport, a former Minneapolis detective drawn out of seclusion to investigate murders designed to send a message to him. Bleeding Cool describes the murders as confounding, and Davenport as a former detective in the Minneapolis Police Department.
Deadline's earlier report describes Ackles' Davenport as a righteous avenging angel whose sharp mind, unconventional approach, and unwillingness to let the law get in the way of justice forced him out of the Minneapolis force. That framing suggests the series is built around the character's moral edge rather than a conventional procedural.
Sandford's debut and the Prey series
Screen Rant notes that the show is based on the 1989 crime novel of the same name. Rules of Prey introduced Davenport, a Minneapolis cop and war-game designer, pitted against a killer who leaves rules for the police.
The series has run long enough that Publishers Weekly has reviewed a 14th instalment, so a debut-novel adaptation gives the screen version a deep back catalogue to draw on. For the book's verdict, read our review of Rules of Prey.
Want the full verdict? Our Rules of Prey review covers how the novel holds up before the series arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rules of Prey worth reading before the MGM+ series arrives?
It is the first novel in Sandford's Prey series and the source for the eight-episode adaptation, so it is the natural starting point. Our review covers whether it holds up.
Who stars in the Rules of Prey TV series?
Jensen Ackles plays Lucas Davenport, with Lucy Fry and Amanda Brugel in the cast. Peter Outerbridge, Cody Ray Thompson and David Klein have also been named as series regulars.
What is the main premise of Rules of Prey?
Minneapolis cop Lucas Davenport faces a killer who leaves rules for the police. The series version has Davenport, a former detective, drawn out of seclusion to investigate murders designed to send him a message.
Is there a release date for the Rules of Prey series?
No release date has been confirmed yet. MGM+ has ordered eight episodes.
Should I read Rules of Prey or wait for the adaptation?
The two are not mutually exclusive, and reading first lets you compare the screen version with the 1989 novel. Our review can help you decide.
No Discussion Yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this news article.