New York nightlife looks glamorous from the sidewalk, until the kitchen doors swing open. Black Rabbit plunges into that pressure-cooker with Jude Law and Jason Bateman as estranged brothers whose glossy restaurant becomes the front line of a spiraling debt crisis. Created by Oscar-nominated King Richard writer Zach Baylin with Kate Susman, the limited series marries bruising family drama with a pulsing crime thriller vibe, slick, tense, and very, very NYC.
Here is everything you need to know about Black Rabbit — from the plot and cast to reviews and release date. The trailer is at the bottom of the article.
All the key details about Black Rabbit
- Title: Black Rabbit
- Format: Series (Limited)
- Runtime: 1 season, 8 episodes (all episodes release together)
- Genre: Crime drama, thriller
- Year of release: 2025
- Creators: Zach Baylin, Kate Susman (Baylin is Academy Award–nominated for King Richard)
- Directors (eps.): Jason Bateman (1–2), Laura Linney (3–4), Ben Semanoff (5–6), Justin Kurzel (7–8)
- Main cast: Jude Law, Jason Bateman, Cleopatra Coleman, Troy Kotsur
- Produced by: Youngblood Pictures; Aggregate Films; Riff Raff Entertainment; Automatik Entertainment; for Netflix
What happens in Black Rabbit?
Jake Friedken (Law) is the charismatic co-founder of Black Rabbit, a Manhattan restaurant and VIP lounge built on precision, charm, and a carefully managed guest list. Then his brother Vince (Bateman)—a lovable wrecking ball with dangerous IOUs—walks back through the door. What starts as a family reunion becomes a $20,000-a-week problem owed to very bad people, forcing Jake to choose between protecting his legacy and saving his brother.
See also ► Netflix Secret Codes: Discover the hidden menu to unlock hundreds of hidden titles
The show runs on two fuels: the high-stakes mechanics of NYC’s hospitality underworld and the combustible bond between siblings who can’t live with-or without-each other. Expect slick set pieces, escalating threats, and a constant tug-of-war between loyalty and survival.
Who’s in the cast of Black Rabbit?
Law and Bateman headline as Jake and Vince Friedken, bringing star wattage and very different energies—one buttoned-up, one chaotic. The supporting bench is deep: Cleopatra Coleman plays Estelle, an elite designer; Amaka Okafor is Roxie, an ambitious chef; Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù is Wes, a music mogul; and Oscar winner Troy Kotsur turns up as a bookie with long memories. Behind the camera, Bateman directs the opening chapters—and Ozark partner Laura Linney steps in for episodes 3 and 4.
See also ► From victim to vigilante: Netflix’s Love Con Revenge takes on romance scammers
Is Black Rabbit based on a true story?
No. The series is an original creation from Zach Baylin and Kate Susman, conceived as a character-driven crime saga set in New York’s nightlife scene.
What are the reviews on Black Rabbit?
Early critics are intrigued by the star pairing and propulsive pacing. Time praises the “stylish direction” (with Linney helming two episodes) and calls Law and Bateman’s brother act the main reason to watch-even as it notes some “narrative wheel-spinning.” The Wrap is tougher, admiring the access to top-tier NYC locations while arguing the storytelling doesn’t always match the show’s visual cred. Others are bullish on the blend of Ozark tension with culinary-world stakes. Net-net: glossy, gripping, and divisive—in other words, prime conversation TV.
Where was Black Rabbit filmed?
The series was shot across New York City, showcasing spots from the Russian & Turkish Baths to Times Square at dawn and the lobby of Bellevue Hospital—plus on-the-street filming through 2024 in neighborhoods like the West Village and Brooklyn. (Watch for the historic Bridge Café near the Seaport.).
Black Rabbit: Behind the scenes and fun facts
- It’s an Ozark mini-reunion: Bateman directs the first two episodes; Linney directs 3 and 4.
- All eight episodes drop the same day-built for a full-tilt binge.
- Baylin (co-creator) wrote King Richard; Kurzel, who directs the finale stretch, previously directed Law in The Order (per Tudum’s notes on creative crossovers).
What’s Black Rabbit like?
If you enjoyed Ozark or the kitchen-pressure chaos of The Bear, this is the right limited series for you-blending family-crime thrills with a sleek, service-industry edge and a nightclub sheen. Some outlets are already likening its vibe to a darker cocktail of Succession and The Bear.
When is Black Rabbit coming out on streaming?
Available from September 18, 2025. Black Rabbit premieres on Netflix with all eight episodes available at launch. Release date: September 18, 2025. Watch on Netflix.
Watch the trailer
In the meantime, here’s the trailer.
