According to Deadline, Tyler Perry (Diary Of A Mad Black Woman, Sistas) is expanding his portfolio of first-look deals. In addition to his movie deal with Netflix, Perry has signed a first-look series deal with the platform. A first-look deal is an arrangement whereby a distributor receives first rights to any content that the creators, either individually or through a production company, are developing. The first order under the new arrangement was for the drama series Beauty in Black, which the streamer ordered.
Deadline reports that this is in addition to Perry’s TV deal with BET, which is, as far as we know, still in effect and includes over ten series at the network. In 2017, Perry and the business that was then called Viacom came to a long-term agreement.
Perry is known for establishing the wildly successful Madea persona, a bullheaded elderly African American woman, and he is one of the most successful African American filmmakers in history in terms of business.
Beauty in Black is a 16-episode drama series that Perry wrote, directed, and produced, according to Deadline. It centers on two women who lead distinct lives and become involved in each other’s. Kimmie is trying to support herself after her mother kicked her out, while Mallory owns a prosperous company.
Additionally producing for Tyler Perry Studios are Angi Bones (The House Next Door: Meet The Blacks 2, Raising Izzie, Life Size 2) and Tony Strickland (All The Queen’s Men, Tales, Saul Of The Mole Men).
Deadline reports that Perry and Netflix reached a multiyear first-look agreement in October, under which Perry will write, produce, and direct original content for the streaming service. That came after he signed a contract to write four features for Prime Video with Amazon Studios.
Perry has two films coming out on Netflix: Mea Culpa, starring Kelly Rowland (Freddy Vs. Jason, The Curse Of Bridge Hollow), and Six Triple Eight, starring Kerry Washington (Scandal, Little Fires Everywhere). His earlier Netflix original movies include the thriller A Fall from Grace, Madea’s Homecoming, and A Jazzman’s Blues.
Among Perry’s BET endeavors are the seventh-season Sistas, the fifth-season The Oval, and the fourth-season Ruthless. Nickelodeon is home to Young Dylan as well.