Matt Shakman to Direct Paramount+'s 'Discretion' Legal Thriller

Paramount+ has secured Emmy-nominated director Matt Shakman for its new legal thriller, 'Discretion.' Shakman, recognized for his directing on 'WandaVision' and 'Fantastic Four: First Steps,' will direct the initial four episodes of the series, which features A-list talent Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning.

'Discretion' gained a direct-to-series order from Paramount+ in October 2025 after an intense bidding competition. The show is an adaptation of a short story by Chandler Baker and marks a significant greenlight for Cindy Holland, Paramount's direct-to-consumer head, following the Skydance acquisition. Elle Fanning takes on the role of Lenny, a summer associate at a prestigious Dallas law firm, who uncovers a dark network of non-disclosure agreements. Her discovery places her in direct opposition to Sharon, the firm's powerful female partner played by Kidman, blurring the lines of their mentor-protégé relationship and raising profound questions about secrecy and its consequences.

Shakman's extensive television directing experience includes episodes of acclaimed series such as 'Succession,' 'Game of Thrones,' and 'Mad Men.' His prior collaboration with Fanning on Hulu's 'The Great,' where he directed the pilot, earned him one of his three Emmy nominations. In addition to 'Discretion,' Shakman is set to direct the pilot and finale for Apple TV's forthcoming series 'Wild Things,' featuring Jude Law and Andrew Garfield, and a new 'Planet of the Apes' movie for 20th Century Studios.

This collaboration of seasoned talent and compelling narrative promises a series that will captivate audiences and spark important conversations about power, truth, and the ethical dilemmas inherent in the pursuit of justice.