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Starz Developing Drama on Shohei Ohtani Interpreter Scandal With Alex Convery and Justin Lin

Alex Convery will showrun with Justin Lin directing in a Lionsgate Television project now set up at Starz.

Overview

  • Starz confirmed the untitled scripted series is in development, focusing on Ippei Mizuhara’s role in the gambling scandal tied to MLB star Shohei Ohtani.
  • Convery will write, executive produce and serve as showrunner, while Lin will direct, co-write and executive produce alongside Perfect Storm Entertainment’s Steven Prinz.
  • Producers include Scott Delman as executive producer and Albert Chen as co-executive producer, with Lionsgate Television producing.
  • The series centers on Mizuhara’s rise and downfall and the fallout for Ohtani’s public trajectory, including context around his 10-year, $700 million Dodgers contract.
  • Mizuhara pleaded guilty in 2024 to bank fraud and filing a false tax return, was sentenced to four years and nine months with more than $18.1 million in restitution, and is accused of stealing about $17 million from Ohtani while losing over $40 million across roughly 19,000 illegal bets.