Screenwriter and producer Mara Brock Akil “signed a multi-year deal” with Netflix to create original content when her series Girlfriends begins streaming on the network September 11. It also marks the 20th Anniversary of when the four characters, Joan (Tracee Ellis Ross), Mya (Golden Brooks), Toni (Jill Marie Jones), and Lynn (Persia White), graced the small screen. Brock Akil was also behind other popular shows like The Game and Being Mary Jane.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mara Brock Akil to Netflix,” said Channing Dungey, VP Original Series, Netflix. “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.”

“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. “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.”

Brock Akil’s other television deals have included a “premium blind script deal with Fox,” this year and working with Warner Bros. TV, “which yielded two series, Black Lightning on the CW and Love Is_OWN.” And in 2019, “Brock Akil was honored with the Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award by NATPE for exhibiting extraordinary passion, leadership, independence and vision through her work, as well as for her contributions to the medium of television as a content creator.”

By BSM Team

Photo Credit: Netflix