Acclaimed filmmaker Malcolm D. Lee is making bold moves in television with the development of two high-profile drama series: Need to Know, a spy procedural starring Taye Diggs, and Becoming Marlow Fin, a psychological mystery adapted from Ellen Won Steil’s novel. Both projects are being produced under Lee’s Blackmaled Productions banner as part of his first-look deal with Universal Television.
Need to Know, currently in development at NBC, reunites Lee with longtime collaborator Taye Diggs, known for his roles in The Best Man franchise and All American. Diggs will not only star in the series but also serve as an executive producer.
The show is inspired by true events and centers on a battle-hardened CIA veteran (played by Diggs) who is forced to partner with a brash young operative. Together, they run some of the agency’s most daring covert missions from a secret base in South Florida. The series promises a blend of high-stakes espionage, character-driven drama, and real-world intrigue.
The pilot was written by Alexander Maggio (FBI, Homeland), with Terence Paul Winter (The Equalizer, Boston Blue) set to take over as writer and executive producer if the show is picked up to series. Spycraft Entertainment is also on board as a producing partner, bringing authentic intelligence expertise to the project.
Lee’s second project, Becoming Marlow Fin, is in development at Peacock and is based on the debut novel by Ellen Won Steil. The drama unfolds during a live primetime interview with global superstar Marlow Fin, whose carefully curated public image begins to crumble as she recounts the mysterious disappearance of her sister. As the interview progresses, Marlow becomes the prime suspect in the case, and the audience is left to question what’s real and what’s a performance.
Des Moran (Tiny Beautiful Things, Bel-Air) is adapting the novel for television and will serve as executive producer alongside Lee, Steil, and Dominique Telson. The series promises a tense, character-driven narrative that explores fame, family, and the cost of secrets.
These two projects mark a significant expansion of Malcolm D. Lee’s television footprint. Known for his work on hit films like Girls Trip and Space Jam: A New Legacy, Lee is leveraging his cinematic storytelling skills to craft compelling, diverse narratives for the small screen.
With Need to Know and Becoming Marlow Fin, Lee continues to champion stories that center Black voices and experiences, while exploring genres ranging from espionage to psychological drama. Both series are poised to make a major impact when they hit screens — and further cement Lee’s status as a powerhouse in Hollywood storytelling.
