Discretion is a new, upcoming Paramount+ legal thriller starring Oscar® and Emmy® winner Nicole Kidman and Oscar®, Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominee Elle Fanning. The high-stakes drama follows a powerful legal world where secrets carry life-changing consequences.
The project is based on a short story by New York Times best-selling author, Chandler Baker (Whisper Network, The Husbands). Baker is writing for the show, and will serve as an executive producer. Here’s another reason to watch this series: It comes from A24, the studio behind films like the best picture Oscar® winners Moonlight and Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Paramount+ has given the thriller a straight-to-series order. Production is set to begin this year. Keep reading to get info on the story, creative team, production details, when and where to stream the series, and more.
Key facts
- Streaming: Paramount+
- Premiere: To be announced
- Lead stars: Nicole Kidman, Elle Fanning
- Creator: Chandler Baker
What is the series about?
Discretion is a legal thriller that follows a lawyer named Lenny (Elle Fanning) who uncovers a dark corporate secret involving NDAs while working as a summer associate at a prestigious Dallas law firm. The discovery sets off a dangerous battle between Lenny and her mentor, the firm’s powerful partner, Sharon (Nicole Kidman).
The stylish, character-driven legal series explores secrets, ambition, and moral gray zones. Discretion is based on a short story from Chandler Baker, the author and screenwriter who herself is a former corporate lawyer.
When and where to watch
You’ll have to be a little patient for the full answer to the question, “When and where to watch Discretion?” The where part is settled: Paramount+ will stream the series exclusively. As for the when: A premiere date has not been announced. Production on the eight-episode series is slated to begin this year.
Who is in the cast and creative team?
Cast of Discretion
Discretion boasts serious star power, led by Nicole Kidman, who plays Sharon, the commanding senior law partner who hides secrets behind her success. Discretion is Kidman’s second series for Paramount+; she also stars in the Taylor Sheridan drama, Lioness. She is an executive producer on Discretion under her Blossom Films shingle.
Elle Fanning also stars in Discretion. She plays the young law associate whose shocking discovery unravels everything at Sharon’s prestigious firm. Fanning’s credits include A Complete Unknown, Somewhere and Maleficent. Fanning and her sister, Dakota Fanning (Vicious), will serve as executive producers on Discretion through their company, Lewellen Pictures.
Creative team behind Discretion
The show’s killer cast is supported by an impressive creative team. Chandler Baker is a New York Times best-selling author with several page-to-screen adaptations in the works. Her Christmas-themed short story (Oh. What. Fun.) was recently released as a film, and one of her best-selling novels, The Husbands, is being adapted into a series. Baker has signed on to be a writer and executive producer of Discretion.
In June 2026, Paramount+ announced that Emmy®-nominated director Matt Shakman (Wild Things, WandaVision) will direct the pilot and three additional episodes of the debut season of Discretion. Shakman will also serve as an executive producer along with another big name, Susannah Grant. Grant is the Oscar®-nominated screenwriter of Erin Brockovich. As a director, she’s helmed Catch and Release, and more.
Yet another big piece of the Discretion creative team is A24, which is producing the series. And then there’s Paramount+, which won the bidding war to stream the project. It’s one of the first major green lights under the leadership of Cindy Holland, Chair of Direct to Consumer for Paramount, a Skydance Corporation, and Jane Wiseman, Head of Originals at Paramount+.
FAQ
When does Season 1 come out?
A premiere date for Discretion Season 1 has not been announced.
How many episodes will there be in Season 1
There will be eight episodes in Discretion Season 1.
Discretion on Paramount+
Discretion will stream exclusively on Paramount+, home of Landman, Lioness, The Madison, MobLand, Tulsa King and other original drama hits.
