Netflix Reveals ‘Alexander,’ Jacob Tierney’s Epic Take on Aristotle and the Young Conqueror

Netflix is bringing the story of Alexander the Great to the small screen with a new series called Alexander, and Jacob Tierney is at the helm. Tierney, known for creating and running Heated Rivalry, will write, direct, and executive produce the series, which explores the young conqueror’s life and his relationship with his famous tutor, Aristotle.

The series is based on Annabel Lyon’s novel The Golden Mean and follows the story of Macedonia as the Athenian empire declines. Aristotle arrives to guide a young and volatile Alexander, and their unlikely bond shapes both the prince and the future of an empire.

The show promises to explore palace intrigue, war, love, and ambition. Tierney told Netflix, “I fell in love with Annabel Lyon’s book The Golden Mean years ago and have been dreaming of telling this story ever since. Brendan and I couldn’t be more excited to be partnering with Aggregate and Netflix to bring this insanely compelling world to life.”

Jinny Howe, head of US and Canada scripted series at Netflix, added, “Jacob Tierney is one of the most exciting, in-demand creative voices working today, and we are thrilled to work with him on Alexander. This series reimagines the classic power struggle between mentor and protégé with a raw, modern energy that feels both epic and incredibly intimate.”

Alexander the Great is one of history’s most famous conquerors. The son of King Philip II of Macedon and Queen Olympias, he built an empire stretching across three continents, overtaking regions such as Asia Minor, Syria, and Egypt, and founded over 70 cities.

The source material, Lyon’s The Golden Mean, was released in 2010 and was praised for its rich storytelling and detailed look at 4th century BC Macedonia. Catherine Taylor of The Guardian described it as “a marvelously reimagined look at Alexander the Great’s youth” with prose that balances immediacy and timelessness.

Netflix and the creative team promise a drama that will mix epic historical events with intimate character moments. Jason Bateman and Michael Costigan of Aggregate Films, along with Brendan Brady of Accent Aigu Entertainment, will also serve as executive producers.

This series could be a fresh take on Alexander’s story, focusing not just on his conquests but also on the mentorship and challenges that shaped him. The combination of historical drama and character-driven storytelling sounds very promising. What do you think about a new Alexander the Great series? Share your thoughts in the comments.