Tyra Banks Inks First-Look Deal With ABC Signature

Peter White Television EditorPeter Saji, the co-creator of Mixed-ish and longtime Black-ish writer, is staying in the Disney family.He has just signed another multi-year overall deal with ABC Signature, the new name for what was known as ABC Studios.Saji signed his last overall deal with the company in 2017 and since has co-created the spin-off, which tells the story of Rainbow Johnson’s childhood growing up in a mixed-race family and was renewed for a second season.He has been with the studio

Will Thorne Staff WriterPeter Saji is staying put at Disney.The “Black-ish” producer and “Mixed-ish” co-creator has signed a new multi-year overall deal with ABC Signature, under which he will continue to create and develop TV projects for the studio.Saji signed his first overall with what was then ABC Studios in 2017 (Disney rebranded its TV units earlier this month), and he in fact began his career at Disney as part of the ABC Writers program back in 2007.

Also Read: Tyra Banks Signs First-Look Deal With ABC SignatureSaji, who was a writer on the Kenya Barris-created “Black-ish” for five seasons before going on to co-create the spinoff series last year, signed his first overall deal at ABC Studios in 2017.

Emma Roberts has signed a first-look deal with Hulu, and her first project under the pact will be a TV adaptation of Carola Lovering’s “Tell Me Lies.”The 2018 novel follows a college girl named Lucy Albright who is obsessed with a very charming man. “When Lucy Albright arrives on the campus of her small college, away from her mother whom she’s never forgiven for an act of betrayal in her early teen years, Lucy embraces college life and all it has to offer.

Peter White Television EditorEmma Roberts has signed a first-look deal at Hulu and will focus on adapting books for television.The American Horror Story and Scream Queens star struck the deal with the streamer via her Belletrist TV production company, which has set an adaptation of Carola Lovering’s Tell Me Lies as her first project.Tell Me Lies, which was published in 2018, tells the story of a young woman’s obsession with a man who’s good at being charming.

Paramount Pictures has extended its first-look film deal with “Sonic the Hedgehog” producer Neal Moritz and his Original Film production company, the studio announced on Wednesday.The deal is a two-year extension that will continue the studio’s relationship through the end of 2023.

Neal Moritz and his Original Film production company have extended their multiyear, first-look agreement with Paramount Pictures through to Dec. 31, 2023.

Justin Kroll Senior Film ReporterParamount has reupped its first-look deal with producer Neal Moritz, giving the acclaimed producer a two-year extension on his current pact. It extends the studio’s relationship with Moritz through December 2023.“I am thrilled to extend this relationship with Neal and Original Film, which already has been so fruitful with the success of Sonic the Hedgehog,” Paramount Pictures chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos said Wednesday.

Dave McNary Film ReporterParamount Pictures has announced a two-year extension of its first-look deal with producer Neal Moritz, who delivered “Sonic the Hedgehog” to the studio and is producing the sequel.The new deal, announced Wednesday, extends the studio’s relationship with Moritz through the end of 2023.After a strong opening weekend, “Sonic the Hedgehog” went on to become the highest-grossing movie based on a video game domestically, with $146 million in the U.S.

BuzzFeed is expanding its media reach. The company has signed a first-look deal with Universal Television to develop scripted series projects based on its content and original reporting from its journalists.

Will Thorne Staff WriterUniversal Television and Buzzfeed are getting into business.The two entities have signed a first-look deal, which will see the NBCU studio produce scripted content based on stories and reporting published by Buzzfeed.As part of this new deal, the companies have already set their first project together in the form of a series based on the 2018 article “Meet the Women Who Are Building a Better Romance Industry” by Bim Adewunmi.

Denise Petski Senior Managing EditorBuzzfeed is making an expanded push into television, signing a first-look deal with Universal TV, in which the studio will produce scripted content based on stories and original reporting published by the tech-powered media company.

Cynthia Erivo is expanding into producing. The award-winning actress is reteaming with The Outsider studio MRC Television and has signed a first-look deal with the studio and Civic Center Media.

Denise Petski Senior Managing EditorOscar nominee and The Outsider star Cynthia Erivo is expanding her relationship with MRC Television and Civic Center Media, the studio’s joint venture with UTA, with a first-look deal. Under the pact, Erivo will develop and produce television projects through her newly formed production company, Edith’s Daughter.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterCynthia Erivo has signed a first-look television deal with MRC Television and Civic Center Media, MRC’s joint venture with UTA.Under the deal, Erivo will develop and produce television projects through her newly formed production company, Edith’s Daughter. Edith’s Daughter will focus on projects that express the beauty in the stories and people who are often overlooked and underrepresented.

Amazon is bringing another key member of the Fleabag team back. The retail giant/streamer has inked director Harry Bradbeer to a first-look deal.

Peter White Television EditorHarry Bradbeer is the latest member of the Fleabag family to partner with Amazon after striking a first-look deal with the streamer.Bradbeer, who directed both seasons of the BBC/Amazon comedy co-pro, won the Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for his work on the second season.

Will Thorne Staff WriterHarry Bradbeer, known for directing almost every single episode of “Fleabag,” has set his creative sights on Amazon.The Emmy winner has inked a first-look deal with Amazon Studios, under which he will develop and create television series to premiere exclusively on the streamer.News of the deal comes almost a year after “Fleabag” creator and star Phoebe Waller-Bridge inked her own deal with Amazon.

Also Read: 'Dancing With the Stars' Gets September Premiere Date at ABCBankable Productions most recently produced the Freeform original movie “Life Size 2,” which saw Banks reprise her role from the original ABC film. Hayley Lozitsky is executive vice president of Bankable Productions and Sabrina Besla is director of development and in-house writer.“Tyra’s fierce and undeniable passion has not only made her one of the biggest stars to date, it has created an incredible connection with female

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterSupermodel-turned-businesswoman Tyra Banks has signed a first-look deal with Disney Television Studios’ ABC Signature to focus her efforts on producing scripted programming with ABC Signature and unscripted content with ABC Entertainment.“Ever since I was a little girl growing up in Inglewood, California, I’ve been enamored by the magic of Disney. Joining the family at ABC feels like a homecoming of sorts,” says Banks.