It’s one thing to be an actress and represent us on screen, but when you have creative control behind the scenes, that’s when real change happens.
Black women like Regina Hall, Ciara, and Michelle Obama have taken their platforms to new heights by scoring deals with some of the biggest content hubs around, including Netflix, Showtime, Comedy Central, and ABC. Even Generation Z power players such as Black-ish stars Marsai Martin and Yara Shahidi have begun to follow in the footsteps of actresses before them to pave the way for future generations to see themselves in more positive stories in TV and film.
While deals are just the first step in expanding the pot of who gets to tell what stories, knowing these agreements have been cemented raises our excitement for all of the diverse projects expected to come down the line. Check out the list below for all of the dope queens securing the production bag with full-figured multi-million dollar deals, first-look agreements, and more.
01
Issa Rae
The ‘Insecure’ actress landed an eight-figure film and television deal with WarnerMedia. The five-year overall deal brings her Hoorae media label into the room and gives HBO, HBO Max and Warner Bros. television exclusive rights to Rae’s work in TV.
02
Yara Shahidi
Alongside her mother Keri Shahidi, the ‘Grown-ish’ actress launched 7th Sun Productions and inked a deal with ABC Studios to develop and produce television projects for cable, streaming, and broadcast.
03
Marsai Martin
The ‘Little’ creator and ‘Black-ish’ star signed a first-look deal with Universal Studios for her Genius Productions company.
04
Lena Waithe
Back in 2019, ‘The Chi’ creator announced her overall deal with Amazon to create and produce original series for Amazon Studios under her production company Hillman Grad.
05
Janet Mock
The ‘Pose’ director, producer and writer spread her wings beyond the Fx Network in 2019 when she became the first out transgender woman to land an overall deal at a major content company (Netflix).
06
Ciara
Ciara and her husband Russell Wilson signed a first-look deal with Amazon Studios to produce and develop scripted series and films via their Who Not You Productions company.
07
Regina King
King, who recently made her directorial debut for ‘One Night in Miami…’, signed a first-look deal with Netflix back in 2019 through her Royal Ties production company.
08
Shonda Rhimes
In 2017, the ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ creator shocked the world when she announced that she was moving from ABC to Netflix. The showrunner’s multiyear deal with Netflix will see her creating original content for the streaming service.
09
Viola Davis
Davis and her husband Julius Tennon signed a first-look deal through their production company JuVee Productions with Amazon Studios in 2018.
10
Michelle Obama
Our forever First Lady and former President Barack Obama signed a storytelling deal with Netflix back in 2018.
11
Mary J. Blige
The Grammy award-winning singer and ‘Power’actresses landed a first-look deal with Lionsgate to develop and produce TV shows through her production house Blue Butterfly Productions in 2019.
12
Kerry Washington
The ‘Scandal’ and ‘American Son’ actress signed an ABC development deal through her production company Simpson Street in 2016.
13
Tracy Oliver
This year, Girls Trip co-writer Tracy Oliver inked an eight-figure multi-year deal with Apple through her company Tracy Yvonne Productions.
14
Taraji P. Henson
As part of her first-look deal with Fox, ‘Empire’ star Taraji P. Henson is currently developing a spinoff of the hit show for the network.
15
Patrisse Cullors
In 2020, the Black Lives Matter co-founder signed an overall production deal with Warner Brothers, where she intends to continue to uplift Black stories, talent, and creators that will continue to transform the world of art and culture.
16
Regina Hall
In October 2020, Regina Hall scored a first-look deal with Showtime via her production company, Rh Negative. She also inked a six-film deal with MTV Entertainment Group.
17
Natasha Rothwell
In April, the ‘Insecure’ actress signed a multi-year overall deal with ABC Signature via her Big Hattie Productions company.
The post 17 Black Woman Who’ve Inked Major Production Deals appeared first on Essence.
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