The Boys and Supernatural favourite confirmed for brand new crime series based on popular novel

Supernatural legend Jensen Ackles has been cast in the new crime thriller Rules of Prey.

Rules of Prey follows Lucas Davenport, played by Ackles, a former detective in the Minneapolis Police Department who is drawn out of seclusion back into law enforcement to investigate a series of confounding murders, designed to send a message specifically to him.

The synopsis, as per Deadline, reads: "When an ingenious serial killer begins murdering Minneapolis citizens, Davenport, a brilliant polymath and unconventional investigator, takes the case, sparking an intense psychological duel with an equally intelligent adversary.

"As Davenport deciphers the killer’s twisted moral code and personal vendetta, he must match wits with a predator operating by his own rules of justice, risking everything to stop a killer who sees their conflict as the ultimate game."

Rules of Prey is an adaptation of the 1989 novel by New York Times bestselling author John Sandford. The novel is the first in Sandford's Prey series, made up of 36 main books all featuring protagonist Lucas Davenport. The latest release, Revenge Prey, was published in April 2026.

The screen adaptation by Amazon MGM Studios will be executively produced by Ackles himself alongside Bruce Terris, who created the show and also serves as showrunner.

Michael Wright, global head of MGM+, said: "Jensen Ackles's classic leading man charisma, combined with Bruce Terris’s skilful adaptation of John Sandford’s enduringly popular Prey series is an excellent fit for MGM+.

"The series delves into the psychological depth and suspense that made Sandford's novels unmissable reading and continues MGM+'s commitment to bringing classic Hollywood storytelling to modern audiences."

Want to see this content?

This page contains content provided by Google reCAPTCHA. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Google reCAPTCHA may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Google reCAPTCHA and its required purposes.

The new series will be made up of eight episodes, the first two of which are being directed by Game of Thrones director Daniel Sackheim, with filming to begin this month in Toronto, Canada.

Jensen Ackles rose to fame playing Dean Winchester in the hugely popular dark fantasy show Supernatural, acting opposite Gilmore Girls star
Jared Padalecki, which ran for 15 years from 2005 to 2020.

He is also recognised as Eric Brady in Days of Our Lives, which earned him an Emmy nomination.

More recently, Ackles has played Ben/Soldier Boy in the superhero series The Boys, a role he will reprise in its prequel, Vought Rising, due to be released next year.

Add Rules of Prey to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.

Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

Phoebe Kowhai Barnes is a Freelance Writer who covers pop culture and entertainment programmes for the Radio Times. She previously worked as the Senior Assistant Editor at The Tab where she managed its local department. She obtained a BA (Hons) in English Literature from University of Nottingham.