Janet Mock just signed a historic deal with Netflix, and congratulations are in order
Though there’s still far to go, over the past few years, LGBTQ people have been slowly breaking down barriers, and transgender people, in particular, have been gaining more visibility. And now, writer and director Janet Mock has made history by signing an overall deal with Netflix.
Netflix announced the deal with Mock in a June 19th tweet, noting that the Pose writer and director is the first black transgender woman to sign an overall deal of this kind with a major studio.
The streaming giant also shared a video of Mock discussing some of her plans for the deal. She explained that she will continue writing and directing, and she is also working on a new half-hour drama and college series.
"This is the first kind of deal of its kind for a trans person, no less a trans woman of color," Mock said. "You know, 84% of Americans say they don't know and/or work with a trans person. And so there's potential now with Netflix's worldwide audience to introduce millions, hundreds of millions of viewers to trans people and showing people who may not understand us that we can tell our own stories."
Today, @JanetMock makes history as the first Black trans woman to establish an overall deal with a major studio.
"…there's potential to introduce hundreds of millions of viewers to trans people, and showing people who may not understand us, that we can tell our own stories." pic.twitter.com/nXhaW0STvo
— Strong Black Lead (@strongblacklead) June 19, 2019
According to Variety, Mock’s three-year Netflix contract will give the streaming service exclusive rights to her TV series, as well as first rights to any movies that she might create. Under the deal, Mock will be a director and executive producer for Ryan Murphy’s new Netflix series, Hollywood. She’ll also keep working on the FX drama Pose.
"As a best-selling author, producer, and director, Janet Mock has demonstrated she knows how to bring her vision to thrilling, vivid life," Cindy Holland, Netflix VP of original content, told Variety. "She’s a groundbreaker and creative force who we think will fit right in here at Netflix."
https://www.instagram.com/p/By5XEpan6rZ
It was already clear that Mock has many talents, so we’re ecstatic to see her recognized with this historic deal. We’re also excited to see how Mock’s creative control may open doors for more LGBTQ people of color to have their stories represented at Netflix and beyond. Consider our Netflix subscription renewed.
