2017 has been a productive and successful year for Issa Rae. The American-Senegalese writer, director, producer, and actress has seen mega success with The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl (2011), First (2014), and Insecure (2016).
She has also been nominated for 2017 Best Actress in a TV Comedy or Musical for her performance on HBO’s Insecure. Today, HBO picked up two new show concepts from Rae named Him Or Her which will showcase the topsy-turvy dating life of a bi-sexual African-American man; and Sweet Life that will exhibit the high-class lifestyle of African-American teens in Windsor Hills – a neighborhood dubbed as the ‘Black Beverly Hills.’
Issa Rae first rose to prominence with Awkward Black Girl, a web series she wrote that gained over 20 million views and over 260,000 subscribers on Youtube.
She is also the writer of the New York Times best-selling memoir, the Misadventures of an Awkward Black Girl, a Forbes 20 under 30 Fellow, and an Essence Magazine Game Changer.
Issa often shares her experiences about growing up in Senegal as a child.
Check out reactions from fans on social media when the news broke.
HBO picks up 2 new shows executive produced by Issa Rae https://t.co/IlJrcOBchB pic.twitter.com/rfqAjNHR8B
— The A.V. Club (@TheAVClub) December 19, 2017
Issa Rae Lands TWO New Shows At HBO [Including Black Bisexual Male Dating Comedy] https://t.co/qLlNOBtDiw pic.twitter.com/814LRKEn4U
— ThatGrapeJuice (Sam) (@thatgrapejuice) December 18, 2017
Issa Takeover! Two New Shows Coming to HBO by way of Issa Rae https://t.co/v0h5iCJ5F1 pic.twitter.com/QytJ5DaXQP
— The Source Magazine (@TheSource) December 19, 2017
Oh look! Issa Rae of sunlight into our terrible fucking lives: https://t.co/DCoOLX00Ss #shadowAndAct
— David Levesley (@DJFLevesley) December 19, 2017
ICYMI: Issa Rae developing TWO new shows for HBO. ‘Him Or Her’ comedy chronicling the life of a bisexual black man plus ‘Sweet Life’ a drama following black teens in Windsor Hills ? read more here via @shadowandact : https://t.co/IOACp4uq8a?amp=1 pic.twitter.com/drTi8cxXif
— Micia Meesh (@_miciagirl) December 19, 2017
Issa Rae is about to be the Shonda Rhimes of HBO! pic.twitter.com/sGfM6FP5je
— K a r y . (@itsKARY_) December 19, 2017
Issa Rae started on YouTube and now has 3 shows on HBO. BITCH!!!!
— Cardi C (@CC_Kimball) December 19, 2017
So this is the guy who is writing a show for HBO along with Issa Rae about a bisexual Black man, and I want you to notice who all the praises are coming from. He’s so happy to be finally accepted by white mommy and daddy. So many traitors among us who pose as “woke”. https://t.co/CoZSUiNyss
— Jay (@JReid2014) December 19, 2017
