Issa Rae Sets Film and Television Deal at Paramount

Issa Rae is taking her talents to Paramount.

The multi-hyphenate has set a three-year first-look film and television producing deal at the studio, which commences this month. Rae’s previously had an eight-figure overall pact at WarnerMedia, where she set shows including “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” “Rap Sh!t” and “Sweet Life.”

“I’m so looking forward to starting this next chapter with the incredible team at Paramount to tell stories for and by the diverse communities that have supported my work over the years,” Rae said in a statement.

Under the deal, Rae will work closely with Paramount Pictures co-chairs Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, Paramount Television Studios president Matt Thunell and Motion Picture Group president Don Granger.

“Issa is a true creative force whose work consistently feels fresh, funny, and deeply human,” Goldberg and Greenstein said in a statement. “She epitomizes the kind of exceptional artist we’re proud to partner with across film and TV to break new ground in elevated storytelling.”

Rae is best known for creating and starring in the hit HBO series “Insecure,” which generated multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations during its run. Her company Hoorae, which has a mission statement to break boundaries in storytelling and representation in film, TV, and digital content, has backed projects like “The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl,” “Rap Sh!t “and Sony’s theatrical sleeper hit “One of Them Days.” As an actor, Rae has recently appeared in “American Fiction” and “Barbie” and lended her voice to Sony’s animated “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” series.

Since Paramount closed its $8 billion merger with Skydance, the studio has lured talent including “Stranger Things” creators Matt and Ross Duffer and Will Smith for various film and television deals. The company also shelled out $7.7 billion to become the home of Ultimate Fighting Championship events for seven years.