Yara Shahidi Signs Overall Deal With ABC Studios, Launches Production Company

Actress, Yara Shahidi, known for her roles in Black-ish and its college spin-off Grown-ish, has signed an exclusive overall deal with ABC Studios.

Launching Their Production Company

As part of the deal, Shahidi is forming a production company with her business partner and mother, Keri Shahidi, through their new production company called, 7th Sun. According to the deal, 7th Sun will develop and produce scripted and alternative television projects for cable, streaming and broadcast. The Deal also aims at highlighting diverse and underrepresented creators in the industry.

The Mother-Daughter duo have brought on NBCUniversal alum, Lajoie St. George, to lead the development for 7th Sun.

Official Statements

Yara released an official statement saying, “I’m thrilled to be partnering with my home family, ABC Studios, in this exciting next chapter, alongside my family. It’s exciting to add our production company to the roster of my peers and mentors who are also actively committed to sharing meaningful stories.”

ABC President, Jonnie Davis, also spoke about the exclusive deal. “We can’t wait to extend and expand our relationship with the incredibly talented Yara Shahidi, who has been a member of the family since ‘black-ish’. When she’s not studying at Harvard and starring in our series ‘grown-ish,’ she’s mentoring and inspiring other young people. Which makes us all feel like underachievers but also very proud that she’s part of our Studio.”

Being the youngest network producer

ABC goes a long way with Shahidi, who started as Zoey Johnson on the critically-acclaimed ABC comedy series, Black-ish. Shahidi went on to star in her own successful spin-off, Grown-ish. Yara is also executive producing the show making her the youngest network producer yet.

“I’ve called her ‘McMogul’ for years”

Kenya Barris, the writer of Black-ish and it’s spin-offs, is all praise for the actress. “Yara is a force. She is insanely talented, unreasonably smart and hardworking beyond compare. I’ve called her ‘McMogul’ for years and seeing all that she has accomplished should come as no surprise to anyone that knows her. This deal is just the beginning for Yara, and I’m excited to see where she takes this next chapter and the storyteller she becomes.”

In addition to her roles on the ABC shows, Yara has also starred in “The First Family” and “Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia.” She was also a co-executive producer on the Oscar-winning short film, “Hair Love.”

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