Exclusive: Black Boy Writes Media, founded by Writer Mike Gauyo announces Heather Daughtry as the new chief of programming for The Black Boy Writes & Black Girl Writes Mentorship Initiative. Also joining the team are three additional mentors; Jackie Penn (4400), Andre Ferguson (Power Book II: Ghost), and Cynthia Adarkwa (Legacies).
Heather Daughtry previously managed Sponsorships and Partnerships at Final Draft, Inc, where she played a key role in fostering relationships with various screenwriting organizations, film festivals, schools, and mentorship programs. Notably, her efforts have been dedicated to amplifying the voices of underrepresented writers, reflecting her passion for inclusivity and diversity within the industry.
Of the mentorship initiative, Daughtry says, “Working with the Black Boy Writes/Black Girl Writes Mentorship Program feels like home. As Chief of Programming, I am deeply committed to continuing the work of propelling the powerful and vibrant voices of Black storytellers.
Mike adds,...
Heather Daughtry previously managed Sponsorships and Partnerships at Final Draft, Inc, where she played a key role in fostering relationships with various screenwriting organizations, film festivals, schools, and mentorship programs. Notably, her efforts have been dedicated to amplifying the voices of underrepresented writers, reflecting her passion for inclusivity and diversity within the industry.
Of the mentorship initiative, Daughtry says, “Working with the Black Boy Writes/Black Girl Writes Mentorship Program feels like home. As Chief of Programming, I am deeply committed to continuing the work of propelling the powerful and vibrant voices of Black storytellers.
Mike adds,...
- 2/9/2024
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: United Talent Agency has signed rising-star actor, writer and filmmaker Jordan Mendoza for representation in all areas by a large, cross-departmental team.
Most recently, Mendoza wrote for Season 3 of FX’s acclaimed comedy series, Dave, co-created by and starring Dave Burd, which chronicles Burd’s pursuit of a reputation as one of the greatest rappers of all time under the name Lil Dicky.
Additionally, he was recently cast as one of the leads of the new Netflix series Neon, where he also serves as a consulting producer. The comedy created by Shea Serrano (Primo), which follows three small-town Florida friends as they look to make it in Miami’s world of reggaeton, debuts October 19th. Mendoza can also be seen starring in Netflix’s limited series Kaleidoscope, a heist drama from Eric Garcia and Ridley Scott’s Scott Free, which premiered at top of year.
Mendoza appeared opposite Jennifer Lawrence...
Most recently, Mendoza wrote for Season 3 of FX’s acclaimed comedy series, Dave, co-created by and starring Dave Burd, which chronicles Burd’s pursuit of a reputation as one of the greatest rappers of all time under the name Lil Dicky.
Additionally, he was recently cast as one of the leads of the new Netflix series Neon, where he also serves as a consulting producer. The comedy created by Shea Serrano (Primo), which follows three small-town Florida friends as they look to make it in Miami’s world of reggaeton, debuts October 19th. Mendoza can also be seen starring in Netflix’s limited series Kaleidoscope, a heist drama from Eric Garcia and Ridley Scott’s Scott Free, which premiered at top of year.
Mendoza appeared opposite Jennifer Lawrence...
- 10/3/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: M88 has signed Netflix’s Ginny and Georgia writer Mike Gauyo.
Gauyo also wrote for the critically acclaimed series, Insecure (HBO), Netflix’s Ginny and Georgia, and is the founder of the Black Boy Writes and Black Girl Writes Mentorship initiative, which is a yearlong program that provides pre-wga Black writers with access towards becoming established screenwriters in entertainment. Of the mentorship initiative Mike says,
“I launched the program in hopes of creating a space for Black writers to have access towards a career in writing that otherwise may have felt out of their reach. I’m happy to sign with M88, who isn’t just dedicated to being stewards of my career, but is equally as invested in the success of my mentorship initiative and its goal of amplifying marginalized voices.”
Most recently, Gauyo co-created Send Help for AMC Network’s Allblk streaming platform and served as its co-showrunner and Executive Producer.
Gauyo also wrote for the critically acclaimed series, Insecure (HBO), Netflix’s Ginny and Georgia, and is the founder of the Black Boy Writes and Black Girl Writes Mentorship initiative, which is a yearlong program that provides pre-wga Black writers with access towards becoming established screenwriters in entertainment. Of the mentorship initiative Mike says,
“I launched the program in hopes of creating a space for Black writers to have access towards a career in writing that otherwise may have felt out of their reach. I’m happy to sign with M88, who isn’t just dedicated to being stewards of my career, but is equally as invested in the success of my mentorship initiative and its goal of amplifying marginalized voices.”
Most recently, Gauyo co-created Send Help for AMC Network’s Allblk streaming platform and served as its co-showrunner and Executive Producer.
- 3/6/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Emmy-winning journalist Kelley L. Carter has signed a multi-year deal with ABC, elevating the ESPN Andscape senior entertainment reporter to a new role as entertainment reporter for all shows under the ABC and ABC News umbrella, including “Good Morning America,” “GMA3” and “ABC News Live.”
In addition to her new duties, Carter will continue her work at ESPN Andscape — a media platform dedicated to creating, highlighting, and uplifting the diverse stories of Black identity — where she currently hosts the celebrity interview series “Another Act.” Recent guests include Queen Latifah, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Viola Davis, Zoe Saldaña and Keke Palmer. She also interviewed the creators and the original Broadway production of “Hamilton” in the special program “Hamilton In-Depth with Kelley Carter,” which coincided with the premiere of Hamilton on Disney+.
“I’m really excited to continue with Andscape,” Carter tells Variety. “It feels like we are still just in the beginning of...
In addition to her new duties, Carter will continue her work at ESPN Andscape — a media platform dedicated to creating, highlighting, and uplifting the diverse stories of Black identity — where she currently hosts the celebrity interview series “Another Act.” Recent guests include Queen Latifah, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Viola Davis, Zoe Saldaña and Keke Palmer. She also interviewed the creators and the original Broadway production of “Hamilton” in the special program “Hamilton In-Depth with Kelley Carter,” which coincided with the premiere of Hamilton on Disney+.
“I’m really excited to continue with Andscape,” Carter tells Variety. “It feels like we are still just in the beginning of...
- 2/27/2023
- by Julia MacCary
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Kevin Iso, co-creator, executive producer and star of Showtime’s Flatbush Misdemeanors, has signed with management company Artists First.
Created by and starring Iso and Dan Perlman based on their digital series, Flatbush Misdemeanors is a raw comedy of city life following Dan and Kevin, who play characters struggling to thrive in their new surroundings in Flatbush, Brooklyn.
Originally from Houston, Iso began performing stand up all across Texas before moving to New York. He was named a New Face at the 2019 Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal and was one of Comedy Central’s Comics to Watch. He appeared opposite Zoë Kravitz in the series High Fidelity and also appears in the final season of Atlanta. He previously wrote on the HBO Max series That Damn Michael Che.
Iso is also repped by UTA and Marcie Cleary at at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz.
Created by and starring Iso and Dan Perlman based on their digital series, Flatbush Misdemeanors is a raw comedy of city life following Dan and Kevin, who play characters struggling to thrive in their new surroundings in Flatbush, Brooklyn.
Originally from Houston, Iso began performing stand up all across Texas before moving to New York. He was named a New Face at the 2019 Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal and was one of Comedy Central’s Comics to Watch. He appeared opposite Zoë Kravitz in the series High Fidelity and also appears in the final season of Atlanta. He previously wrote on the HBO Max series That Damn Michael Che.
Iso is also repped by UTA and Marcie Cleary at at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz.
- 9/12/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: John Clarence Stewart (Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist), Shamika Cotton (The Equalizer) and newcomer Miracle Watts are set for recurring roles on the second season of Starz’s P-Valley.
Based on Katori Hall’s play Pussy Valley, P-Valley Season 2 returns to the Mississippi Delta where lies an oasis of grit and glitter in a rough patch of human existence where beauty can be hard to find. This Southern-fried, hour-long drama tells the kaleidoscopic story of a “little strip club that could” and the big characters who come through its doors — the hopeful, the lost, the broken, the ballers, the beautiful and the damned. Trap music meets film noir in this lyrical and atmospheric series that dares to ask what happens when small-town folk dream beyond the boundaries of the Piggly Wiggly and the pawnshop.
Stewart will play Big Teak, a recently paroled member of Lil’ Murda’s gang—the Hurt...
Based on Katori Hall’s play Pussy Valley, P-Valley Season 2 returns to the Mississippi Delta where lies an oasis of grit and glitter in a rough patch of human existence where beauty can be hard to find. This Southern-fried, hour-long drama tells the kaleidoscopic story of a “little strip club that could” and the big characters who come through its doors — the hopeful, the lost, the broken, the ballers, the beautiful and the damned. Trap music meets film noir in this lyrical and atmospheric series that dares to ask what happens when small-town folk dream beyond the boundaries of the Piggly Wiggly and the pawnshop.
Stewart will play Big Teak, a recently paroled member of Lil’ Murda’s gang—the Hurt...
- 3/15/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Writer, actor, comedian and producer Kerry Coddett has signed with WME for representation.
Coddett is currently writing on Season 2 of Flatbush Misdemeanors. She was the only writer for Showtime comedy series who was asked to return after Season 1, and also appears in it as a recurring guest star. She can currently be seen on HBO’s Pause with Sam Jay and Showtime’s Desus & Mero.
Coddett was previously a staff writer on Wyatt Cenac’s Problem Areas for HBO and was also a regular on Comedy Central’s The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore. She has also featured in Hulu’s Ramy and HBO’s Crashing and was a core cast member of The Iliza Shlesinger Sketch Show on Netflix.
Coddett has performed stand-up at the NBC Universal Second City Breakout Festival, the New York Comedy Festival, the Women In Comedy Festival, the Brooklyn Comedy Festival,...
Coddett is currently writing on Season 2 of Flatbush Misdemeanors. She was the only writer for Showtime comedy series who was asked to return after Season 1, and also appears in it as a recurring guest star. She can currently be seen on HBO’s Pause with Sam Jay and Showtime’s Desus & Mero.
Coddett was previously a staff writer on Wyatt Cenac’s Problem Areas for HBO and was also a regular on Comedy Central’s The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore. She has also featured in Hulu’s Ramy and HBO’s Crashing and was a core cast member of The Iliza Shlesinger Sketch Show on Netflix.
Coddett has performed stand-up at the NBC Universal Second City Breakout Festival, the New York Comedy Festival, the Women In Comedy Festival, the Brooklyn Comedy Festival,...
- 1/28/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: UTA has signed actor, writer, and producer X Mayo in all areas.
Most recently, The Daily Show writer shared a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for “Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series.”
As an actress, Mayo will next appear in the upcoming NBC comedy series, American Auto. On the big screen, she played supporting roles in Netflix’s Finding Ohana and Lulu Wang’s critically acclaimed film The Farewell. Previously, she starred in the second season of the Facebook Watch series Strangers.
In the comedy space, she is the creator and host of Who Made The Potato Salad? a live variety comedy sketch show that’s made by and stars talent of color. Additionally, she is an alumni performer of the Upright Citizens Brigade.
She will continue to be represented by attorney Marcie Cleary at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz.
Most recently, The Daily Show writer shared a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for “Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series.”
As an actress, Mayo will next appear in the upcoming NBC comedy series, American Auto. On the big screen, she played supporting roles in Netflix’s Finding Ohana and Lulu Wang’s critically acclaimed film The Farewell. Previously, she starred in the second season of the Facebook Watch series Strangers.
In the comedy space, she is the creator and host of Who Made The Potato Salad? a live variety comedy sketch show that’s made by and stars talent of color. Additionally, she is an alumni performer of the Upright Citizens Brigade.
She will continue to be represented by attorney Marcie Cleary at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz.
- 9/10/2021
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: UTA has signed Nigerian-America filmmaker, producer and activist Nneka Onuorah in all areas. Onuorah’s projects focus on championing social justice across several mediums, including documentary features, series, live events, commercials, campaigns, and scripted features and series.
Most recently, it was announced that her project with HBO, The Legend of the Underground, will debut Tuesday, June 29 on HBO and available to stream on HBO Max. The feature documentary, which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival, is a timely look at the struggle against rampant discrimination in Nigeria today, as seen through the lens of several bold and charismatic, non-conformist youth who fight to live life out loud. Directed by Nneka Onuorah and Giselle Bailey, the film is executive produced by Mike Jackson, John Legend, Ty Stiklorius and Austyn Biggers of Get Lifted Film Co.
Onuorah is best known for her debut feature, The Same Difference, a documentary about internalized homophobia within the U.
Most recently, it was announced that her project with HBO, The Legend of the Underground, will debut Tuesday, June 29 on HBO and available to stream on HBO Max. The feature documentary, which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival, is a timely look at the struggle against rampant discrimination in Nigeria today, as seen through the lens of several bold and charismatic, non-conformist youth who fight to live life out loud. Directed by Nneka Onuorah and Giselle Bailey, the film is executive produced by Mike Jackson, John Legend, Ty Stiklorius and Austyn Biggers of Get Lifted Film Co.
Onuorah is best known for her debut feature, The Same Difference, a documentary about internalized homophobia within the U.
- 6/1/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Former ESPN star Jemele Hill is moving into scripted television and has teamed with Gabrielle Union to develop a half-hour comedy series about Black women with financial independence.
New Money, which is based on a story from Hill and The Undefeated journalist Kelley Carter, who run Lodge Freeway Media, is in development at Showtime.
The series is produced by Union’s I’ll Have Another Productions and Sony Pictures TV, where Union’s firm is under a first look deal.
Being Mary Jane writer and producer Patrik-Ian Polk, who is also a co-exec producer on Starz’ P-Valley is attached to write the series.
The show is centered around Black women who have solidified their careers, achieved financial independence and moved past the awkwardness and money struggles of their twenties. Now firmly in their 30s, the ladies must deal with the repercussions their “new money” brings, including hangers-on, false friends, unwanted media attention,...
New Money, which is based on a story from Hill and The Undefeated journalist Kelley Carter, who run Lodge Freeway Media, is in development at Showtime.
The series is produced by Union’s I’ll Have Another Productions and Sony Pictures TV, where Union’s firm is under a first look deal.
Being Mary Jane writer and producer Patrik-Ian Polk, who is also a co-exec producer on Starz’ P-Valley is attached to write the series.
The show is centered around Black women who have solidified their careers, achieved financial independence and moved past the awkwardness and money struggles of their twenties. Now firmly in their 30s, the ladies must deal with the repercussions their “new money” brings, including hangers-on, false friends, unwanted media attention,...
- 11/23/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: CAA has signed Late Night with Seth Meyers writer and performer Jeff Wright.
Before joining the NBC late-night show, Wright rose to fame on social media for creating and starring in short sketches that poke fun at social media and pop culture brands. One of his most recent sketches takes on Quibi’s shutdown and sees the comedian imagine the reactions of streaming giants like Netflix and Hulu, who want nothing to do with the failed short-form content platform.
Wright’s TikTok content has brought him more than 2.5 million followers on the popular video app.
He is managed by Tovah Silbermann and Jeremy Berney at Mosaic. His attorney is Marcie Cleary at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz.
Before joining the NBC late-night show, Wright rose to fame on social media for creating and starring in short sketches that poke fun at social media and pop culture brands. One of his most recent sketches takes on Quibi’s shutdown and sees the comedian imagine the reactions of streaming giants like Netflix and Hulu, who want nothing to do with the failed short-form content platform.
Wright’s TikTok content has brought him more than 2.5 million followers on the popular video app.
He is managed by Tovah Silbermann and Jeremy Berney at Mosaic. His attorney is Marcie Cleary at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz.
- 10/29/2020
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
Showtime has given a 10-episode straight-to-series order to half-hour comedy Flatbush Misdemeanors, created, written by and starring Kevin Iso and Dan Perlman. It is based on Iso and Perlman’s award-winning 2017 digital series of the same name.
Flatbush Misdemeanors, a raw and grounded comedy of city life, follows Dan and Kevin, who play characters struggling to thrive in their new surroundings in the brash environment of Flatbush, Brooklyn. The show explores two longtime friends seeking to climb out of their heads and connect with others.
Flatbush Misdemeanors is produced by Showtime and Avalon, which will act as lead studio. Perlman and Iso executive produce with Richard Allen-Turner, Jon Thoday, David Martin and Chloe Pisello for Avalon.
“Flatbush Misdemeanors is a funny, audacious and inventive series that rips the artisanal sheen off of Brooklyn and mines comedy from the diverse, un-gentrified characters who live there,...
Flatbush Misdemeanors, a raw and grounded comedy of city life, follows Dan and Kevin, who play characters struggling to thrive in their new surroundings in the brash environment of Flatbush, Brooklyn. The show explores two longtime friends seeking to climb out of their heads and connect with others.
Flatbush Misdemeanors is produced by Showtime and Avalon, which will act as lead studio. Perlman and Iso executive produce with Richard Allen-Turner, Jon Thoday, David Martin and Chloe Pisello for Avalon.
“Flatbush Misdemeanors is a funny, audacious and inventive series that rips the artisanal sheen off of Brooklyn and mines comedy from the diverse, un-gentrified characters who live there,...
- 10/12/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Showtime has made a straight-to-series order of the 10-episode half-hour comedy “Flatbush Misdemeanors,” from creators and writers Kevin Iso and Dan Perlman.
The comedy, a co-production between Showtime and Avalon, centers on “characters struggling to thrive in their new surroundings in the brash environment of Flatbush, Brooklyn,” as two longtime friends look to “climb out of their heads and connect with others,” according to the network.
Avalon will act as lead studio in adapting Iso and Perlman’s digital series of the same name.
“’Flatbush Misdemeanors’ is a funny, audacious and inventive series that rips the artisanal sheen off of Brooklyn and mines comedy from the diverse, un-gentrified characters who live there,” said Showtime co-president of entertainment Gary Levine. “Kevin and Dan are multi-talented and have unique, authentic voices that we are thrilled to bring to Showtime audiences.”
Stand-up comedian and writer Perlman, who hails from New York City, created...
The comedy, a co-production between Showtime and Avalon, centers on “characters struggling to thrive in their new surroundings in the brash environment of Flatbush, Brooklyn,” as two longtime friends look to “climb out of their heads and connect with others,” according to the network.
Avalon will act as lead studio in adapting Iso and Perlman’s digital series of the same name.
“’Flatbush Misdemeanors’ is a funny, audacious and inventive series that rips the artisanal sheen off of Brooklyn and mines comedy from the diverse, un-gentrified characters who live there,” said Showtime co-president of entertainment Gary Levine. “Kevin and Dan are multi-talented and have unique, authentic voices that we are thrilled to bring to Showtime audiences.”
Stand-up comedian and writer Perlman, who hails from New York City, created...
- 10/12/2020
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Oscar-winner Geena Davis has been set to lead feature Cowgirl’s Last Ride from fledgling La production firm Resonate Entertainment, formed last year by Susan Cartsonis (What Women Want), Suzanne Farwell (The Intern) and Brent Emery (The Stanford Prison Experiment).
With echoes of her role in 90s classic Thelma And Louise, Glow and Eve star Davis will play Fay, an ailing but still rebellious Texas cowgirl who escapes a Dallas nursing home to live what’s left of her life on her own terms. She makes a perilous journey back to her native East Texas— first by truck, then by horse—while being pursued by her well-meaning adult son Randall (still to be cast), who can’t help but care about his mother despite the dysfunction he experienced as a child, and well into his adult life.
The project was written by eighth-generation Texan Kris Hunt, who loosely based...
With echoes of her role in 90s classic Thelma And Louise, Glow and Eve star Davis will play Fay, an ailing but still rebellious Texas cowgirl who escapes a Dallas nursing home to live what’s left of her life on her own terms. She makes a perilous journey back to her native East Texas— first by truck, then by horse—while being pursued by her well-meaning adult son Randall (still to be cast), who can’t help but care about his mother despite the dysfunction he experienced as a child, and well into his adult life.
The project was written by eighth-generation Texan Kris Hunt, who loosely based...
- 10/10/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.