Netflix True Crime Film ‘The Brotherhood’ Brings Together Cal McMau and ‘Ozark’ Creator Bill Dubuque

NETFLIX, The streaming giant has enlisted Ozark creator Bill Dubuque to write and Wasteman director Cal McMau to helm The Brotherhood, a feature film adaptation of the 2006 true-crime book The Brotherhoods: The True Story of Two Cops Who Murdered for the Mafia by Guy Lawson and William Oldham.

The project is based on the true story of a young New York City detective in the late 1980s who uncovers a far-reaching conspiracy linking the remnants of the notorious mafia Five Families to senior ranks within the NYPD. The film explores corruption, organized crime, and the risks faced by those who challenge entrenched power.

Rideback’s Jonathan Eirich is producing the film alongside Mark Bauch of One Day’s Walk, with Rideback’s Nick Reynolds serving as executive producer. Sources say The Brotherhood has been in development for several years and transitioned to Netflix from Warner Bros. approximately a year ago. Dubuque’s screenplay is said to have played a key role in attracting high-profile talent to the project. Casting details have not yet been announced.

McMau comes off his debut feature Wasteman, a crime thriller starring David Jonsson and Tom Blyth that premiered at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival. Written by Hunter Andrews and Eoin Doran, the film follows Taylor, played by Jonsson, whose attempt at a fresh start is disrupted by the arrival of his former cellmate Dee, portrayed by Blyth. As Dee draws Taylor back into his orbit, a violent incident forces him to choose between loyalty and his chance at parole. Wasteman earned five British Independent Film Award nominations, with McMau winning Best Debut Director.

Before moving into feature filmmaking, McMau began his career as an artist and later worked in animation and motion graphics for television. Over the past 15 years, he has built a prolific career directing music videos while also creating multiple award-winning short films, which ultimately led to the development of his first feature script.

Dubuque is a three-time Emmy nominee best known for creating Netflix’s hit series Ozark. His film credits include The Accountant franchise starring Ben Affleck, with the second installment grossing more than $103 million worldwide and becoming one of Amazon MGM Studios’ most-watched streaming films. He is also set to reunite with director Gavin O’Connor on Running, an Apple feature about a gifted runner attempting to outrun his past. Most recently, Dubuque wrote and executive produced Netflix’s limited thriller series His & Hers, starring Jon Bernthal and Tessa Thompson.

Rideback, which recently produced Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch—the highest-grossing live-action film of 2025 with more than $1 billion worldwide—is also preparing its next project, Netflix’s Bollywood comedy Best of the Best, starring Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Priyanka Kedia.

Both McMau and Dubuque are represented by WME. McMau is additionally represented by Curtis Brown Group and Ziffren Brittenham.