Amazon Prime Video is progressing on an eight-episode series based on the acclaimed 2013 Image Comics title, Sex Criminals, created by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky. The news follows initial reports from 2023 with few updates since. The adaptation will feature Kumail Nanjiani, known for his role in Eternals, who will also serve as co-creator alongside Emily V. Gordon and Tze Chun, both of whom bring their own creative expertise to the project.
Creative Team and Cast Unite to Bring the Comic to Life
Kumail Nanjiani, Emily V. Gordon—best known for The Big Sick—and Tze Chun, recognized for Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai, have joined forces as co-creators. Nanjiani is confirmed to star, though his character remains undisclosed. Gordon and Nanjiani described the project’s spirit, explaining,
“Sex Criminals is the exact kind of thing Winter Coat aims to bring to life: love stories in weird places,”
they said.
“From the moment LuckyChap brought us Matt and Chip’s comic book, we knew we wanted to bring these characters to screen and are so excited to do that alongside Tze Chun and Prime Video.”
Tze Chun added his enthusiasm, saying,
“I’ve been a fan of Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky’s Sex Criminals since the first issue hit the stands. This has been my dream project for over a decade, and co-creating this show with Emily and Kumail has been one of the creative highlights of my career. We are so excited to bring this series to life with our incredible partners at Lucky Chap and Prime Video.”
Plot Overview: A Surreal Romance and Bank Heists
Sex Criminals centers on Suze, a librarian, and Jon, an actor, who meet at a party and start a relationship. They discover they both share an extraordinary supernatural ability: time freezes whenever they orgasm. As their connection grows stronger and their past experiences come to light, they decide to use their unique talent to rob the bank where Jon works, aiming to save Suze’s endangered library.
The official series synopsis states,
“Sex Criminals centers on Suze, a normal girl with an extraordinary ability: when she has sex, she stops time. One night, she meets Jon, who has the same gift. And so they do what any other sex-having, time-stopping couple would do: They rob banks.”
This story has attracted attention for its bold content and unconventional approach to storytelling.
A Controversial Comic with a New Screen Revival
Sex Criminals is known as one of the most banned and challenged comics in the United States due to its explicit and provocative material. An earlier attempt to adapt the Eisner Award-winning series by Universal in 2015 did not come to fruition. Now, Prime Video’s project signals renewed momentum behind presenting this daring narrative to a wider audience.
Industry Leaders Praise the Project’s Unique Approach
Peter Friedlander, global head of television at Amazon MGM Studios, praised the show’s distinctive qualities, saying,
“Sex Criminals is bold, hilarious, and wildly original, with a love story at its core that feels both deeply human and completely unexpected.”
He added,
“Emily, Kumail, and Tze have brought a fresh, and emotionally grounded take to this incredible property. With our collaborators at LuckyChap, Winter Coat Films, and comic book creators Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky, we’re thrilled to bring this unforgettable world and its characters to our global Prime Video audience.”
What’s Next for Kumail Nanjiani and the Sex Criminals Series
This Prime Video adaptation positions Kumail Nanjiani at the forefront of a daring new series that blends romance, comedy, and fantasy in an unorthodox format. With its experienced creative team and the backing of major producers, Sex Criminals is poised to attract a broad audience and challenge traditional storytelling norms on streaming platforms. Fans of the comic and new viewers alike will soon watch how this imaginative and boundary-pushing narrative comes alive on screen.
