Neshama Entertainment has signed a first-look deal with Toronto- and Edmonton-based screenwriter Abdul Malik and optioned his scripted series Bruiser as part of an expansion into more series work.

Neshama creative producer Lauren MacKinlay is working with Malik (pictured), a 2022 Playback 10 to Watch alum, to further develop the series. It is described as a one-hour procedural that follows a boxer-turned-private investigator operating in Alberta’s oil country, according to a news release.

The one-year first-look agreement was brokered by Neshama director of development Ian Malone, who said in a statement that Malik is “the real deal.”

“He’s a captivating storyteller and one of the sharpest and freshest Canadian voices I’ve had the pleasure of reading in a long time. He’s also genuine, down to earth, and a joy to collaborate with,” said Malone.

Malik recently pitched his crime drama The Unquiet Dead, based on author Ausma Zehanat Khan’s detective novels, at the 2023 Series Mania Forum’s Co-Pro Pitching Sessions, which is in development with Toronto’s Shaftesbury. His writing credits include Transplant, and the features Peace by Chocolate and Queen Tut. Malik is also co-executive producer of Streams Flow From A River, which is competing at Canneseries later this month, and serves as director of development at Fae Pictures.

Malik said the Neshama team is “pushing the company into new frontiers, both in Canada and abroad,” adding that the partnership “felt like a natural fit, as I pride myself in constantly developing new projects in between staffing on different series, and generating ideas that complement Neshama’s vision is an absolute pleasure.”

“I really look forward to what wonderful projects we’ll create, develop, produce, and bring to the world over the next 12 months,” he said.

Toronto-based Neshama’s expansion into scripted series comes on the heels of a season two renewal of their Hallmark original series The Way Home, which premiered earlier this year. The company has already “optioned several exciting projects,” read the release. Neshama was founded in 2018 by Arnie Zipursky, in partnership with MarVista Entertainment.

Malik is represented by Jennifer Irons of Toronto-based Meta Talent Agency and Dallaslyn Lamb at L.A.’s Rain Management.