Katori Hall is sticking with Lionsgate Television. She has signed an overall deal with the studio, which produces her strip club-set Starz drama “P-Valley.” The pact will see Hall create and develop new projects, according to The Hollywood Reporter, and includes “a fund to commission Black playwrights, all of whom will receive mentorship from the writer turned showrunner.”
“P-Valley,” based on Hall’s play “Pussy Valley,” premiered this summer and was quickly renewed for a second season. Its critically acclaimed debut season was directed entirely by women, including Millicent Shelton (“30 Rock”), Geeta V. Patel (“Superstore”), and Kimberly Peirce (“Boys Don’t Cry”). Hall’s overall vision for the series reportedly involves five seasons.
“Adapting my play from the stage to the screen was a decade-long odyssey, and I’m so grateful that the journey led me to a studio that understands the value of complex storytelling centered on marginalized people of color,” Hall said. “I’m thrilled about this partnership with Lionsgate and I look forward to continuing to tell bold, impactful stories with the ability to reach a rich, diverse, global audience.”
Lionsgate exec vp television Scott Herbst commented, “We’re honored to partner with Katori, a storyteller just as passionate about and dedicated to creating great, powerful stories as we are. Everything she pens is an incredible work of art, and we’re excited to collaborate on many more groundbreaking projects like ‘P-Valley’ that cut through the clutter in today’s television landscape.”
Hall’s other plays include the Olivier Award-winning “The Mountaintop,” “The Hot Wing King,” “The Blood Quilt,” and “Hurt Village.” She also wrote the book for “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical.”
The multi-hyphenate stressed the importance of fostering Black playwriting talent, especially right now, when theater has been devastated due to the pandemic. “In this unprecedented moment, Black playwrights are particularly struggling — so much so that I fear some will leave the artform forever,” Hall explained. “This would undoubtedly be a major loss. Without theater, there would be no me. In fact, there would be no ‘P-Valley.’ That’s why I’ve partnered with Lionsgate on this initiative to help ensure that American Theater is more inclusive and diverse when the curtain rises again.”
