Jenji Kohan is making it official with Netflix. The “Orange Is the New Black” creator has signed a multi-year overall deal with the streaming giant, Variety reports. Kohan’s female-led prison dramedy has earned four Emmy awards during its five-season run on Netflix. She’s also an executive producer on the streamer’s acclaimed women’s wrestling series “GLOW,” which will be returning for a second season next year.
The deal sees Kohan developing new original series and other projects for Netflix.
“Bold, outspoken, and totally fearless, Jenji has constantly raised the bar for storytelling at Netflix,” said Cindy Holland, vice president of original content at Netflix. “She possesses a rare and special talent to say what’s unspoken, choose the unexpected over the safe, and drive the cultural conversation — and audiences love her for it. She has been with us from the beginning and we could not be more thrilled to continue working together over the coming years.”
Kohan added, “Current climate aside, it’s great to be in bed with Netflix.”
“Grey’s Anatomy” creator Shonda Rhimes signed a multi-year production deal with the streamer in August.
Kohan’s other writing credits include “Tracy Takes On…” “Gilmore Girls,” and “Weeds.” She created the latter. The Mary Louise Parker-starrer aired on Showtime from 2005 to 2012. Earlier this year Lifetime gave a straight-to-series order to Kohan’s next project, “American Princess.” From “Orange Is the New Black” actress Jamie Denbo, the show centers on Amanda, who joins a Renaissance Fair after her fiancé cheats on her and she suffers a nervous breakdown. Kohan will serve as exec producer.
“My first job is to entertain, but if while you’re enjoying you start to question something you never thought about before or empathize with, relate to, or love somebody you only thought of as ‘other’ once upon a time, how awesome is that?” Kohan has said. “It’s all about moving the needle, a little bit, a little bit.”