Supermodel and TV host, Tyra Banks, is broadening her horizon in Hollywood to develop scripted and unscripted content through her newly-signed first-look deal with Disney Television Studios’ ABC Signature, Deadline reports.
The UTA repped star and her production company, Bankable Productions, has agreed to produce new content with ABC Signature and ABC Entertainment for her upcoming projects.
“Ever since I was a little girl growing up in Inglewood, California, I’ve been enamored by the magic of Disney,” said Banks in a statement. “Joining the family at ABC feels like a homecoming of sorts.”
She added: “Karey Burke, Rob Mills, Jonnie Davis and their teams are visionary leaders. My Bankable team and I are pumped to create dynamic, can’t-miss programming that is loud, splashy and spans to international shores. From dramas and docu-series to comedies and cartoons, we’re coming to your screens with a mission to entertain you and your families in the most unexpected ways.”
According to Variety, Banks’ all-women production company is already in talks of creating a slew of original ideas and existing IP in scripted comedy, drama, and unscripted content.
“Tyra’s fierce and undeniable passion has not only made her one of the biggest stars to date, it has created an incredible connection with female audiences across multiple generations,” said Karey Burke, ABC Entertainment President, in a statement. “We are so excited to welcome Bankable into the family and are looking forward to collaborating with Tyra and her all-star, female-led team.”
This new deal marks the first major production talent agreement secured by ABC Signature, according to Deadline, which includes ABC Studios since the company rebranded earlier this month.
Deadline also gathers that Banks and her production company were previously locked in a first-look deal with Universal Television and Universal Television Alternative Studio, which was revealed in August 2018.
Banks is accompanied by Bankable Productions executive vice president Hayley Lozitsky and director of development/in-house writer, Sabrina Besla, for her new venture.
The first-look deal arrives after Banks was tapped to executive produce and host the upcoming season of “Dancing with the Stars.”
