Netflix Faces Copyright Lawsuit Over ‘Senna’ Miniseries
Netflix is embroiled in a legal dispute over its high-budget miniseries, Senna, which chronicles the life and career of legendary Brazilian Formula One driver Ayrton Senna. The lawsuit, filed by author Lauren Wild in a California federal court, claims that the series infringes on his copyright and draws heavily from a script he developed during discussions to take on a showrunner role.
The miniseries, which debuted in March 2024, was produced by Gullane and reportedly cost over $170 million to create. Wild alleges that he began discussions about a project centered on Senna in 2013 with then-Sony Pictures executive T. Paul Miller. During these talks, Miller expressed interest in a potential project, paving the way for Wild’s involvement in the Senna narrative.
Over the years, Wild claims he worked closely with Warner Bros. Entertainment and was introduced to producer Gabriel Lacerda to discuss the developing project. According to the lawsuit, Wild wrote a substantial amount of material for the series, including a treatment and 11 episodes titled “Built for Speed: Senna,” which were registered with the U.S. Copyright Office and the Writers Guild of America.
Details of the Lawsuit
Wild contends that his involvement with Gullane began with discussions about major revisions needed for the script. He was offered a position as the showrunner for the miniseries and was informed that his contributions would be integral to the production of both the miniseries and a feature film.
Despite initial negotiations and interest, Wild alleges that communication ceased in 2019 when Gullane shifted focus to an unrelated project. By the time Netflix released Senna, Wild asserts that many elements from his original treatment, including specific characters and plot points, were incorporated without his consent. He criticizes Netflix for conducting “little to no due diligence” before greenlighting the series, claiming the final product bears a “substantial similarity” to his work.
The lawsuit includes allegations of copyright infringement, breach of implied contract, and unjust enrichment. Wild is seeking a court order to prevent Gullane and Netflix from further exploiting the miniseries, which has drawn significant attention in the Formula One community.
Directors Vicente Amori and Júlia Rezende, along with writers Álvaro Campos, Gustavo Bragança, and Rafael Spínola, contributed to the series. As this legal battle unfolds, the focus remains on the integrity of creative processes in the entertainment industry and the rights of creators regarding their original works.
Netflix has opted not to comment on the ongoing litigation. The outcome could have implications for future projects involving adaptations of real-life figures, particularly in sports, where the narrative of personal stories is often intertwined with commercial interests.
