Full Breakdown
Nia DaCosta to Direct Amazon Prime Video’s **Sex Criminals**
5/12/2026, 4:03:48 AM
Core Announcement
Writer-director Nia DaCosta has been appointed to direct the pilot and second episode of Amazon Prime Video’s eight-episode series Sex Criminals. She will also serve as an executive producer. The appointment was announced at Amazon’s Upfront presentation in New York City.
Comic Origins and Development
Sex Criminals launched as an Image Comics series in September 2013, written by Matt Fraction and illustrated by Chip Zdarsky. The run spanned 31 issues and one special. It earned two Eisner nominations in 2014, winning Best New Series, and a 2015 Universal Television deal began its path to a TV adaptation.
Production Team and Cast
The eight-episode series is produced by Amazon MGM Studios with LuckyChap and Winter Coat Films. Showrunners Emily V. Gordon, Kumail Nanjiani and Tze Chun serve as executive producers alongside Dani Melia, Dani Gorin and creators Fraction and Zdarsky. Imogen Poots stars as Suze, who can stop time during sex; John Reynolds plays Jon, who shares the power. DaCosta, director of Candyman and The Marvels, leads the pilot and episode 2.
Timeline and Series Premise
Key dates: September 2013 – comic debut; 2014 – Eisner win; 2015 – Universal Television deal; 2026 – Amazon Upfront announcement of the eight-episode series and DaCosta’s directorial role for the pilot and episode 2. The series will stream on Prime Video. Its premise follows Suze (Poots) and Jon (Reynolds), whose sexual encounters pause time, enabling bank robberies across eight hour-long episodes.
Representation Impact
DaCosta’s hiring is notable for representation. She was the first Black female director to open the U.S. box office at No. 1 with Candyman and the first Black woman to helm a Marvel Studios feature with The Marvels. Her genre experience positions her to shape the high-concept comedy-drama of Sex Criminals, potentially attracting viewers seeking diverse leadership on premium streaming.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Hedda writer-director Nia DaCosta has been tapped to direct the pilot and second episode of Sex Criminals, Prime Video‘s series adaptation of Image Comics’ title that hails from Emily V.” — Deadline (source 1)
- “The series would go on to be nominated for two Eisner Awards in 2014, including Best Continuing Series, and won Best New Series.” — Bleeding Cool (source 4)
- “a normal girl with an extraordinary ability: When she has sex, she stops time. One night, she meets Jon (John Reynolds), who has the same gift. And so they do what any other sex-having, time-stopping couple would do: They rob banks.” — Series description (source 2)
- “We've been liking more and more what we've been hearing about Prime Video's adaptation of Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky's comic book series Sex Criminals.” — Bleeding Cool (source 3)
Remaining Unknowns and Next Steps
Amazon has not disclosed a premiere date or a production schedule beyond the pilot and episode 2 assignment. The series is slated for release on Prime Video, but further details about marketing, international rollout, or potential second-season plans remain unannounced.
