Michael Uppendahl to Direct Prime Video's 'Bishop' Pilot, Joining a Cast That Includes Joel Kinnaman, John Malkovich, and Jennifer Jason Leigh

Prime Video's thriller drama *Bishop* has found its pilot director. Michael Uppendahl has been set to helm the first episode of the Amazon MGM Studios series, and will also executive produce alongside the rest of the creative team.

The show centers on Bishop Graves, a homicide detective played by Joel Kinnaman, navigating what sounds like a deeply complicated family situation. John Malkovich plays Lincoln Graves — Bishop's father and, apparently, the most powerful man in San Francisco — while Jennifer Jason Leigh steps in as Jillian Graves, Lincoln's sister and Bishop's aunt. Jordana Brewster plays Kat Claiborne, a seasoned SFPD inspector. Harry Treadaway plays a character named Wyatt, and Xavier Samuel plays Anthony "Ant" Graves, Bishop's younger brother. Jennifer Beals, Ulrich Thomsen, and Erik Svedberg-Zelman all have recurring roles, with John Larroquette and Rob Yang appearing as guest stars.

The series was co-created by Little Marvin and Tony Saltzman. Little Marvin, who has an overall deal at Amazon MGM Studios, is also serving as showrunner and executive producer. Saltzman is EP as well, joined by Roy Lee and Miri Yoon of Vertigo. Casting is handled by Felicia Fasano.

Uppendahl comes to the project fresh off significant work in prestige TV. He directed multiple episodes and served as executive producer on FX's *The Beauty*, a Ryan Murphy series, and is also attached to FX's upcoming adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis's *The Shards* in the same capacity. It's a solid run of high-profile genre work that makes him a natural fit for what *Bishop* appears to be going for.

No premiere date or episode count has been announced. Uppendahl is represented by CAA and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller.

[Original Source](https://deadline.com/2026/06/michael-uppendahl-direct-prime-video-bishop-pilot-1236964065/)