Mindy Kaling has secured a multi-year deal with Universal TV, Variety has reported. The deal is for acting, producing, and writing.
Universal produces her current series “The Mindy Project,” which airs on Hulu. It was cancelled by Fox after three seasons and picked up by the streaming network for a 26 episode fourth season (currently airing) and has been renewed for a 16-episode fifth season.
As Variety noted, the deal marks a big move for Universal TV’s new president Pearlena Igbokwe, who took over for Bela Bejaria and has a close relationship with Kaling.
“I’m so pleased that the first new deal to be closed after settling into Universal Television is with Mindy Kaling,” said Igbokwe. “She’s incredibly funny and smart, and she has her pulse on what it takes to produce, write and star in television that is relevant and insightful. I’m eagerly looking forward to terrific things ahead from Mindy in both half-hour and one-hour television.”
NBC entertainment president Jennifer Salke added, “Mindy has truly made her mark in the creative community as a prolific storyteller, role-model to many, and a wildly funny artist who is clearly in the zeitgeist of American pop culture. We are thrilled to continue our relationship with her at Universal Television for many years to come.”
In addition to writing, producing, and starring in “The Mindy Project,” Kaling is the author of two best-selling books, “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (and Other Concerns)” and “Why Not Me?” She’s also appeared in “The Office,” “Inside Out,” “The Night Before,” and “This Is the End.”