Emmy-nominated writer and creator Robin Thede (Insecure) has secured her first overall deal with Warner Bros. Television Group, via Deadline. The star and executive producer of HBO’s A Black Lady Sketch Show will develop future projects across WarnerMedia’s various platforms and streaming services. The deal includes programming for HBO, HBO Max, on-demand, and basic and premium television channels.
A Black Lady Sketch Show is a pioneer in the industry, being the first variety series entirely written by Black women, according to Deadline. Co-produced by Issa Rae (Coastal Elites, The Lovebirds), the show boasts the main cast of Thede, Ashley Nicole Black (Full Frontal with Samantha Bee), Gabrielle Dennis (The Game, Luke Cage), and Quinta Brunson (Magical Girl Friendship Squad). In a collection of sketches distinct to the Black woman experience, the first season boasted an array of guest appearances from Laverne Cox (Orange Is the New Black), Patti LaBelle (Star), and Aja Naomi King (How to Get Away with Murder), just to name a few. The series is nominated for three Emmys including Dime Davis (Sugar) for Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series. Davis is the first Black woman to appear in this category. It was renewed for a second season.
Before landing at HBO, Thede spearheaded The Rundown with Robin Thede at BET where she served as the late-nite news series’ creator, showrunner, writer, and star, according to Deadline. She was the head writer for The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, which aired for two seasons at Comedy Central. In 2016, she was the main writer for the White House Correspondent’s Dinner. Thede is currently working on HBO Max’s Fashionably Black from Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society production group. She will appear in Hulu’s horror satire from Justin Simien (Dear White People), Bad Hair, on October 23.