Actress Danai Gurira has signed a two-year overall deal with ABC Studios.
The ‘Black Panther‘ actress and playwright will create and develop projects for the studio across all platforms.
Currently, she is the showrunner and executive producer of “Americanah,” a miniseries she adapted from the bestselling novel by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie for HBO Max.
“From Zimbabwe to Wakanda to Broadway, there is no one like Danai Gurira,” Jonnie Davis, president of ABC Studios said.
“The scope of her talents and the breadth of her abilities are simply astonishing. We are over the moon that she has chosen to make ABC Studios her exclusive home.”
Since joining the hit AMC zombie apocalypse series “The Walking Dead,” in 2012, Gurira has been noted for top unique skills and has become a favorite character.
“I am thrilled to work with Jonnie and his stellar team at ABC studios,” she said.
“Their commitment to the feminine perspective aligns with my goals as a storyteller. I am excited to amplify unheard voices and bring to light narratives that will tackle universal themes while they simultaneously break barriers and bring new faces, voices, and influences to the screen.”
Gurira is the first African female writer to have a play on Broadway. Her newest play, “Familiar,” received its world premiere at Yale Rep and premiered in New York at Playwrights Horizons in 2016.
She is also the first Zimbabwean-American to be named UN Women Goodwill Ambassador. She has been an advocate for women all through her life, crediting her childhood in Zimbabwe as the source of her passion for disadvantaged women.
Gurira is represented by UTA, Suskin Management, and Jackoway Tyerman.
