Jensen Ackles has lined up another intense TV role ahead of his return as Soldier Boy. Rules of Prey will bring him into a new crime drama based on John Sandford’s bestselling novels.

MGM+ has greenlit the eight-episode series, which will star Ackles as Lucas Davenport. Production is underway in Toronto, with Bruce Terris serving as creator, showrunner, and executive producer.

The series follows Davenport, a former Minneapolis police detective who has withdrawn from law enforcement. He is pulled back into the field after a string of murders appears designed specifically to send him a message.

Ackles will also executive produce the series alongside Terris and other producers. MGM Television and Take 5 Productions are adapting the story for MGM+.

What we know about Jensen Ackles’ Lucas Davenport in Rules of Prey

Lucas Davenport is a brilliant investigator known for his unconventional approach to justice. His methods often go beyond traditional police procedures while pursuing dangerous criminals.

In Rules of Prey, Davenport faces a serial killer who targets Minneapolis residents while pursuing a personal agenda. The investigation becomes a psychological battle as Davenport works to understand the killer’s motives and moral code.

The series adapts Sandford’s Prey novels, which began with Rules of Prey. Sandford is the pseudonym of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist John Camp, who created the long-running Lucas Davenport character.

Ackles’ casting adds another major crime role to his television career. He is best known for playing Dean Winchester in Supernatural and Soldier Boy in The Boys.

The project also continues Ackles’ work with Amazon MGM Studios. He will next reprise Soldier Boy in Vought Rising, the upcoming The Boys prequel set in the 1950s.

Vought Rising is scheduled to premiere on Prime Video in 2027. Ackles is also set to return as Russell Shaw in the fourth season of Tracker, which is scheduled for October 2026.

Rules of Prey adds another lead role to Ackles’ television slate. MGM+ has announced the series for multiple international markets, including the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Germany, Spain, and Italy.