The golden age of streaming is upon us, with Netflix still one of the platforms leading the charge on innovative and exciting television development. It’s no wonder that many aspiring and established screenwriters are keen to land a deal with them!
With a global subscriber base and a reputation for championing unique, high-quality content, Netflix is only growing in popularity with screenwriters, showrunners and producers alike.
However, with the landscape even more competitive than ever in 2025, how do you actually pitch your ideas to Netflix, and do it well?
It’s one of the most asked questions in the screenwriting space, so we’re here to help. In today’s blog, we’ll explore all you need to know about pitching to Netflix. From understanding how their pitch process works, to preparing your materials, writing your pitch and making the most of the creative tools at your disposal.
*Cue the Netflix intro sound*
In This Article
- Can you Pitch Directly to Netflix in 2025?
- What Netflix is Looking For
- Preparing to Pitch: Materials You Need
- Writing Your TV Pitch
- Examples of a Great TV Pitch (Short sample)
- What Happens After You Pitch?
- Tools to Help You Build a Pitch
- Conclusion
Can You Pitch Directly to Netflix in 2025?
Before we dive into the ins and outs of a Netflix pitch, let’s clear something up:
Netflix doesn’t accept unsolicited submissions or pitches.
All writers need some kind of industry representation either through a manager, agent or entertainment attorney. Or they need to be already working with a production company that has a prior relationship with Netflix.
Why does Netflix have this policy in place? It’s to avoid legal complications and to maintain quality control. As of 2025, this policy remains with all pitches required to come through vetted sources only.
So how do you break through?
- Get represented through a literary agent or manager who believes in your work and can pitch on your behalf.
- Collaborate with an established production company or producer with a proven record.
- Create a killer portfolio and make your own short films or content. Build a following on platforms like YouTube and through film festivals. Success here can attract the attention of reps and other executives within the industry.
While you can’t email Netflix directly with your idea and pitch, there are realistic paths you can take to achieve your streaming dreams.
Need to polish your pitch materials? Celtx’s script writing software can help you refine everything from your pilot to your logline.
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What Netflix is Looking For
Before you even begin compiling your pitch, it’s important to understand Netflix’s pitch requirements. They’re always looking for fresh, compelling content but are extremely strategic in what they greenlight.
Here are six key qualities Netflix looks for in potential new projects:
1. Unique Concepts
While most films and TV shows will fit into familiar genres, Netflix are always on the look out for ideas that feel new and fresh. Something that’ll grab the attention of their huge audience.
Take Stranger Things, a supernatural thriller blended with 1980s nostalgia, teen drama, and government conspiracy. While it draws on familiar genre tropes, it’s execution and blend of horror, drama, and sci-fi feels fresh and unexpected.
2. Character-Driven Narratives
Netflix is known for shows with deep emotional arcs and memorable protagonists, just like The Queen’s Gambit. While the show is about chess, the real story follows Beth Harmon’s journey, her genius, trauma, addiction and resilience driving the narrative just as much as the plot.
3. Binge-Worthy Structure
The viewing habits of audiences have evolved hugely throughout television history. Gone are the days where you’d have to wait a week between episodes (though some shows still adopt this, which we love!)
In 2025, serialized storytelling, cliffhangers and multi-layered plots are on Netflix’s radar to hook audiences into spending as much time on the platform as possible.
One of their most successful series to date is You, with each episode ending on a cliffhanger or shocking twist, with an unreliable narrator and layered tension keeping audiences on their toes and watching.
4. International Appeal
With a global subscriber base, it’s not surprising that Netflix are keen to acquire projects that appeal to a variety of cultures and backgrounds.
Originally a Spanish show, Money Heist exploded globally after Netflix took it on. Its themes surrounding anti-establishment, emotional character arcs and action crossed cultural boundaries and became a raging success.
5. Diversity and Inclusion
Netflix champions underrepresented voices and authentic storytelling from a wide range of perspectives so are always looking for movies and TV shows that reflect life experiences of the neurodiverse, the LGBTQ+ community and diverse cultural backgrounds.
Sex Education is a great example of a highly innovative Netflix show which features a richly diverse ensemble cast including characters of different races, sexual orientations, genders, and neurodivergent identities.
The show also tackles sensitive topics around mental health, identity, trauma and consent with both nuance and empathy which has been received extremely well.
6. Genre Experimentation
Always open to hybrid projects from dramadies and sci-fi thrillers with a romantic core, to supernatural coming-of-age stories, Netflix has been at the forefront of genre experimentation.
Shows like Russian Doll combine time-loop sci-fi, dark comedy and psychological drama with existential themes, developing into a philosophical and emotional series. Defying traditional TV is what makes Netflix stand out, so you should try it too!
Preparing to Pitch: Materials You Need
Before you prepare your pitch, you’ll need to decipher whether your project is right for Netflix. It may not be, and you’ll be better off focusing your efforts into pitching to another streaming service or platform that may be a better fit. And guess what? That’s okay!
If, however, Netflix is the right place for your story, then it’s time to pull together all the materials you’ll need to polish.
Logline
A logline is a one-to-two sentence summary that captures your project’s premise, tone, and hook. It’s your chance to make a kick-ass first impression, so make it a good one.
The logline for House of Cards (2013-2018) tells us what’s in store without giving the game away.
A Congressman works with his equally conniving wife to exact revenge on the people who betrayed him.
For more on how to write the best possible logline for your script, check out our dedicated article right here.
Series Bible
This is your pitch document which can be anything from five to twenty pages in length. In it, you should include:
- Series overview and genre
- World and setting
- Characters and character arcs
- Pilot synopsis
- Episode guide
- Visual tone and influences
Pilot Script
Netflix executives will expect a full pilot script if they’re seriously considering your show. It must be professionally formatted, proofread and engaging from page one.
Sizzle Reel or Lookbook
This step is completely optional, but any visual aid that gives the execs a feel for your storytelling style could help you stand out from the crowd. This could be a short video or a PDF with mood boards and reference images.
Budgets
Having an idea on the numbers will set you in good stead. What do you foresee the budget being to produce your pilot episode? Research projects of the same ilk to help you decipher those calculations.
Impress with a well-structured script.
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Writing Your TV Pitch
Once all your materials are polished and ready to go, it’s time to write your pitch. If successful, you may be invited to a live pitch (in-person or via video call).
In all honesty, you need to be ready for both eventualities which both need to be clear, enthusiastic, and structured.
Let’s break it down:
Step 1 | Start with the Hook
Open with your logline or a dramatic teaser to grab the exec’s attention fast!
Step 2 | Why Now? Why You?
Explain why your story is important to tell in 2025 and why you’re the one to tell it. Share any personal connection you have to the story. Remember, executives are humans too, so triggering an emotional response from them early will only support your pitch.
Step 3 | Describe the World
Set the stage for the rest of your pitch and immerse them in the world you’ve created, whether that be a new fantasy world, or a New York suburb.
Step 4 | Character First
Introduce your lead characters, their motivations and how they’ll evolve throughout their journey. Character depth is key in Netflix shows, so this is a crucial point to cover.
Step 5 | Series Arc and Season Breakdown
Outline where the story is going and the arc of each season following the pilot. Give the execs a clear roadmap of where you see your series going.
Step 6 | Tone and Visual Style
What’s the mood of your show? Is it dark and atmospheric like Ozark or satirical and punchy like BoJack Horseman? Make sure to use comparisons to other Netflix shows sparingly so execs can clearly see where your idea could fit within their repertoire.
Step 7 | The Wrap-Up
Reiterate what makes your show the one Netflix should back, why it’s addictive and needs to be seen by audiences. Confidence is key here. For more on how to construct your pitches, check out our comprehensive guide on How to Write a Kick-Ass Elevator Pitch.
Examples of a Great TV Pitch (Short sample)
The pitches for 99% of Netflix’s aren’t available to read unfortunately. That’s just down to the simple fact that they’re part of the development process and not accessible to everyone.
However, we can share some of great examples of pitches in action. First, this pitch from writer-director Julian Kemp (The Primrose Railway Children, Last Train to Christmas). It’s only a minute long, but it captures the crux of his story and what executives need to know.
Here’s another from filmmaker and animator David Russo best known for his 2009 film The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle. Here is the pitch:
We’d also highly recommend you take a look at the pitch decks from hits such as Stranger Things and Adventure Time, both which encapsulate the tone and content of the series in a concise yet fun and innovative way.
What Happens After You Pitch?
Let’s say your rep sends your written pitch to Netflix. What next?
Well, like all movie and television development, things can take some time. Don’t forget, Netflix are producing multiple projects at once, so patience it a virtue at this stage.
1. Initial Review
Netflix’s development team will review your materials. If they’re interested, they’ll request a meeting or ask questions via your agent.
2. Development Meetings
Here is when you may be invited to a meeting over Zoom or in-person. This meeting will allow you to build on the ideas you’ve presented in your written pitch as well as show your passion. You’ll also be required to answer any questions and respond to feedback.
3. Internal Evaluation
If they’re interested, Netflix will conduct internal reviews, gather feedback from the different stakeholders and decide whether your project aligns with others on their slate.
4. Deal or Pass
If they love the pitch and decide to go ahead, Netflix will move on to put together a development deal. This could be anything from financing a pilot, a script order, or straight-to-series order. If they pass, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed! They could just want something completely different or want future collaborations.
Even if they pass on your project, take all their feedback seriously and remain professional; many writers land a deal on their second or even third pitch. In short – be a good human first and foremost!
Of course, things also can progress very quickly for the right project. Just like it did for Lavern McKinnon:
Tools to Help You Build a Pitch
This is where Celtx comes in! Our software suite remains a go-to for screenwriters and filmmakers alike to polish their scripts and pitches. While we focus on the technical stuff, you can concentrate on what’s important – being creative!
So, how can we help? Our software includes:
- Script writing software which formats your script to industry standards.
- Story development tools such as beat boards and index cards to iron out your structure.
- Collaboration features for remote creative teams.
- Production planning tools so you’re ready to go with shot lists, schedules and budgets.
Our all-in-one platform is here to help you move from concept, to pitch, to production.
Of course, you’re also going to need visuals. Canva is a user-friendly tool to help you develop the aesthetics and tone of your project. It’s ideal for putting together mood boards and pitch decks.
Struggling to organize your notes? Scrivener and Milanote are perfect to organize your research, character arcs and track complex plotlines.
Conclusion
Pitching a TV show to Netflix in 2025 is both an art and a business. While the process can seem daunting, understanding the landscape, and equipping yourself with the right tools, can set you up for success.
You don’t need a Hollywood ZIP code to dream big. All you need is a great story, the right pitch, and the drive to see it through.
If your big idea is ready for a pitch, make sure your script is, too.
Try Celtx’s screenwriting software to streamline your writing process and present your story like a pro.
Up Next:
How Much Does Netflix Pay for a Script (2025)?
Discover how much Netflix pays for a script, plus tips on pitching, securing representation, and how their rates compare to other streaming services.
Click here to read…
