Mara Brock Akil Announces Netflix Development Deal, Set To Create New Scripted Projects

This announcement is fitting as Akil's series Girlfriends officially lands on the streaming platform on Friday, September 11.

Mara Brock Akil has announced she’s signed a multiple-year contract with streaming titan Netflix. 

Akil who executive produced cherished sitcoms including Girlfriends, The Game and Being Mary Jane will write and produce new scripted and creative projects at the company. According to Hollywood Reporter, she was previously signed to Warner Bros. TV in a pact deal alongside her husband Salim Akil. 

In a statement, Mara shared her thoughts on the announcement of the contract, "It is a dream to partner with the force of Netflix, for we have the same goals — telling human stories for a global audience.

She added:

"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."

This year Girlfriends is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its original premiere. On Friday, September 11 the scripted series will land on Netflix. Previously Girlfriends which launched the careers of Tracee Ellis Ross, Jill Marie Jones, Golden Brooks, and Persia White was a part of UPN before it landed on CW.

Akil is the newest showrunner to move to Netflix, she joins Shonda Rhimes, Kenya Barris and Ryan Murphy.