Amazon Prime Video’s adaptation of Mass Effect is moving forward, with one of the writers of Star Trek Beyond attached as showrunner. Amazon MGM Studios acquired the rights to the sci-fi video game franchise from EA back in 2021, and it has since been one of the numerous sci-fi/fantasy shows stuck in development limbo. The Mass Effect series added F9: The Fast Saga writer Daniel Casey to pen the script back in late 2024, and the addition of a showrunner is a drastic step forward.

Deadlinerevealed that screenwriter Doug Jung, whose writing credits include Star Trek Beyond, Mindhunter, and who recently produced Apple TV+’s upcoming historical epic, Chief of War, is signed on for the Mass Effect show. Although the series may be years away, the article also notes that Daniel Casey has been working diligently on the script for nearly a year. Doung Jung, Daniel Casey, and EA’s Michael Gamble will collaborate as executive producers on the series.

What Doug Jung’s Hiring Means For Mass Effect

Doug Jung Is Perfect For Mass Effect

Doug Jung’s credits as a showrunner are slim, but there are two major titles that stand out, indicating his potential for Mass Effect. 2016’s Star Trek Beyond was widely celebrated with an 86% score from critics and an 80% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, and Jung was one of the three writers on the project. Chief of War is the other title of note. Although it has not yet been released, the fact that he has recently served as an executive producer on that series indicates that he knows how to handle a series with high production value.

Daniel Casey has writing experience, and Michael Gamble is the representative of the original Mass Effect video games on the project, but neither of these creatives has experience as a showrunner. Mass Effect needs someone who’s handled the ins and outs of managing a big budget production, and Doug Jung checks that box as well as has experience with successful science fiction. Writing credits for Mindhunter, Banshee, and The Cloverfield Paradox are also nothing to undervalue. He’s the real deal, and this is a big win for the video game adaptation.

Our Take On Mass Effect’s Production Team

Mass Effect Can Fill The Void Left Behind By The Expanse

The Expanse ran for six seasons, with its finale airing on Prime Video in 2021. Since then, it’s been challenging to find high-quality science fiction on Amazon Prime or really any other streaming service. Futuristic sci-fi with an intergalactic society and vast world-building is difficult to pull off on television, but the studio seems to be putting the right team behind Mass Effect to make it a success.

Source: Deadline

Mass Effect

Released

November 20, 2007

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Violence

Developer(s)

BioWare

Publisher(s)

Electronic Arts

Engine

Unreal Engine 3

Cross-Platform Play

doesn’t have cross-play between PC and consoles,

Cross Save

yes

Franchise

Mass Effect