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 Taraji P. Henson, 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
Taraji P. Henson
Academy Award-Nominated Actor, Writer, Director, and Producer Taraji P. Henson’s TPH Entertainment – launched in September 2021 to provide equity ownership to Black creators across premium TV and film content – signed an overall deal with BET Studios, to help amplify the network’s diverse array of content offerings.
02
Lena Waithe
The Emmy-award-winning screenwriter and actress inked a multi-project deal with Audible, Amazon’s premium audio storytelling service, to create original podcasts sharing Black stories and perspectives, and original series for Amazon Studios via her company Hillman Grad Productions.
03
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.
04
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.
05
Retta
The comedienne has entered into a talent holding deal with NBC, which will see her collaborating exclusively with NBCU Television and Streaming Entertainment and Universal Television to star in projects produced for the company’s multiple entertainment platforms.
06
Marsai Martin
The Little creator and Black-ish star signed a first-look deal with Universal Studios for her Genius Productions company.
07
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).
08
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.
09
Regina King
King, who recently made her directorial debut with One Night in Miami…, signed a first-look deal with Netflix back in 2019 through her Royal Ties production company.
10
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.
11
Viola Davis
Davis and her husband Julius Tennon signed a first-look deal through their production company JuVee Productions with Amazon Studios in 2018.
12
Michelle Obama
Our forever First Lady and former President Barack Obama signed a storytelling deal with Netflix back in 2018.
13
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.
14
Kerry Washington
The Scandal and American Son actress signed an ABC development deal through her production company Simpson
Street in 2016.
15
Tracy Oliver
Oliver served as an executive story editor and writer for Survivor’s Remorse. She also produced an episode of Insecure predecessor Awkward Black Girl earlier in her career. This fall we’ll see her series Harlem come to Amazon Prime.
16
Patrisse Cullors
In 2020, the Black Lives Matter co-founder signed an overall production deal with Warner Bros., where she intends to continue to uplift Black stories, talent and creators that will continue to transform the world of art and culture.
17
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.
18
Natasha Rothwell
In April, the Insecure actress signed a multi-year overall deal with ABC Signature via her Big Hattie Productions company.
19
Amanda Seales
Insecure actress and Smart, Funny & Black comedian Amanda Seales is developing the scripted series ‘Amanda Seales Is Difficult’ with Bunim/Murray Productions. According to Deadline, this deal marks Bunim/Murray’s first “residency” deal, which will see her production company Smart, Funny & Black housed at the studio.
20
Courtney Kemp
The ‘Power’ creator signed a high eight-figure overall deal with Netflix. According to Deadline, Kemp will “create new series and develop other projects for a global audience through her End of Episode banner.”
21
Quinta Brunson
Warner Bros.Television Group announced it signed an overall deal with Emmy®-nominated Abbott Elementary creator/executive producer/star Quinta Brunson on August 11, 2022. Under the terms of the multi-year deal, Brunson will continue her many roles with Abbott Elementary and also create, develop, and produce original programming for Warner Bros. Discovery’s HBO Max, as well as external streaming platforms, cable channels, and the U.S. broadcast networks.
