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Electric Entertainment has unveiled its first international co-production: a television adaptation of the bestselling YA series Secret Mission by Dana Elazar-Halevi. The project, announced at MIPCOM 2025, promises a sharp blend of espionage, young romance, and global-scale adventure—a natural evolution for a studio looking beyond its usual frontiers.
A globetrotting YA thriller born out of collaboration
Co-produced with France’s Superprod Group (via its subsidiary The Co-Production Company) and Ananey Studios, Secret Mission will be developed across France, Italy, and the UK. This multinational setup isn’t just decorative—it supports the show’s jet-setting narrative, which unfolds across major global cities. For a series mixing action, love, and identity struggles, filming on international soil brings a promise of authenticity. As someone who grew up devouring spy thrillers and watching teen drama under the covers, I’m instantly intrigued by the idea of those two worlds merging.
Dean Devlin, Electric Entertainment’s CEO—who fans will recognize from past hits like Leverage and The Librarians—is already drawing comparisons between Secret Mission and the tone of his celebrated heist franchise. He describes it as “Leverage for teens”, hinting at a mix of clever scheming, fast-paced plots, and tight-knit team dynamics. That formula has proven itself time and again, and if translated well, it could strike a solid chord in the YA market.
A major investment to fuel the next leap
The launch of Secret Mission coincides with a wider push for growth inside Electric Entertainment. A new $20 million investment from Content Partners Capital (CPC) adds serious firepower to the studio’s ambitions. Since its establishment in April of the previous year, CPC has steadily made its mark, and betting on a YA franchise shows a strategic turn for both companies. To read Pluribus finale shocks fans as season 2 faces long wait
Dean Devlin didn’t hide his enthusiasm, saying the new funding will “accelerate development.” Coming off the back of successful properties like The Ark, The Librarians and the Leverage revival, it feels like Electric is now ready to broaden its playground—genre-wise and geographically.
Why Secret Mission could be the right move now
The young adult genre has evolved a lot over the past decade. Audiences expect more than high school drama—they crave stakes, intricacies, and characters shaped by a larger world. Secret Mission seems keen to deliver just that:
- A diverse team of young spies navigating personal and geopolitical challenges
- High-stakes missions intertwined with emotional growth
- A storyline rooted in real cities, bringing texture to the plot
- Romantic and ethical tensions, balancing thrills with heart
If the series manages to strike the right balance between adrenaline and coming-of-age emotion, it could resonate far beyond its original book audience. I’m especially curious how the show will use its European settings—not just as pretty backdrops, but as narrative catalysts. There’s something exciting about seeing a YA series not confined to high school corridors or dystopian futures, but thrown into real urban tapestries.
As someone who still remembers how Alias shook up the genre in the early 2000s, I can’t help but hope Secret Mission brings that same mix of heart and clever risk-taking.
