Showrunner Mara Brock Akil, the mastermind behind such famous, long-running television series as Girlfriends, The Game, and Being Mary Jane, has signed a multi-year deal with Netflix to create original content.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mara Brock Akil to Netflix,” Channing Dungey, vice president, original series, at Netflix, told Deadline. “Her signature storytelling, authentic perspective, and captivating characters have long entertained audiences and proven to be relevant, timely, and endlessly engaging. We look forward to bringing her distinct voice, vision, and passion to our global members.”
Brock Akil has enjoyed a nice run. In addition to the new deal with the streaming video giant, Brock Akil signed a blind script deal with Fox Entertainment and worked under a deal with Warner Bros. TV that produced Black Lightning on the CW and Love Is for OWN.
“It is a dream to partner with the force of Netflix, for we have the same goals—telling human stories for a global audience,” said Brock Akil, according to Deadline. “I’m excited to have a home that allows me the creative freedom and support to do what I do best—paint portraits and murals of women, Black people, and anyone else whose story is missing from this golden age of television. Representation matters and so does who you build with—I can’t wait to work closely with Channing Dungey and her team to launch some great stories.”
As is the case these days, Brock Akil took to Twitter to celebrate the good news alongside the 20th anniversary of her hit television series Girlfriends.
🚨🚨🚨🚨REALLY BIG NEWS!!!!🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨
Netflix has partnered with Mara Brock Akil (Girlfriends, The Game, Being Mary Jane, Black Lightning) for a multi-year deal to write and produce all-new, original scripted content, as well as other creative projects. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 pic.twitter.com/To4S5gNwoI
— Strong Black Lead (@strongblacklead) September 9, 2020