“Jessica Jones” showrunner Melissa Rosenberg and “Blockers” director Kay Cannon have both inked deals with indie television studios. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Rosenberg has signed an overall deal with Warner Bros. Television, while Cannon and her producing partner, Laverne McKinnon, made a first-look deal with Sony Pictures Television.
Rosenberg’s multi-year pact, reportedly in the eight-figures, was the result of a bidding situation between Netflix, “Jessica Jones'” home, and Warner Bros. TV. Rosenberg will leave the Marvel series after its upcoming third season in order to create and develop new projects for Warner Bros. She’ll still be credited as creator and EP on “Jessica Jones,” but a new showrunner will come on if the show is renewed for Season 4.
“All of my attention remains with the extraordinary cast, writers, and production team of ‘Marvel’s Jessica Jones,’ until the completion of season three,” Rosenberg stated. “We’re extraordinarily grateful to the viewers who have supported us every step of the way on Jessica’s journey, which is so beautifully realized by Krysten Ritter and the amazing cast, including Rachael Taylor, Eka Darville, and Carrie-Anne Moss.” She continued, “We have so many talented storytellers in every area of this show, who I’m honored to call friends and collaborators. As I look ahead after this season, I’m thrilled that I will be able to explore new projects with the talented team at Warner Bros. Television and push myself in new challenging creative directions.”
Rosenberg has previously written for and produced series including “Dexter,” “The O.C.,” and “Party of Five.” She received three best drama Emmy nods and four WGA nominations for the former. She penned all five “Twilight” films.
Cannon’s deal with Sony TV will see her creating and developing new projects with McKinnon. The studio will have first-look rights to TV projects the duo create through their K&L Productions shingle.
K&L’s mission is “to explore underserved stories in comedy and drama.”
Cannon and McKinnon met on “Girlboss,” the short-lived Netflix comedy created and showrun by the former. McKinnon served as an EP on the Britt Robertson-starrer, loosely based on Nasty Gal founder Sophia Amoruso.
Cannon penned the first two “Pitch Perfect” films, and co-wrote “Pitch Perfect 3.” She’s written for and produced series such as “30 Rock,” “New Girl,” and “Cristela.” She nabbed three Emmy nods for writing “30 Rock,” as well as three WGA awards. “Blockers,” Cannon’s directorial debut, opened this spring. The critically-acclaimed comedy about three parents trying to stop their daughters from having sex on prom night grossed $93.7 million worldwide on a budget of $21 million.
McKinnon previously worked at Epix as the exec vp, originals, and at CBS as a senior vp, drama development.
