NBCUniversal’s Universal Content Productions (UCP) has signed a first-look deal with Miss Juneteenth writer-director Channing Godfrey Peoples. She will write, produce and direct projects for the studio under the deal, which includes a TV adaptation of Miss Juneteenth.
The film, which first bowed at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival debuted to rave reviews. The film starred Nicole Beharie and Kendrick Sampson. It was named on several year-end top 10 films of 2020 lists and Godfrey was nominated for the Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director Award at this year’s Gotham Awards.
“Channing is a filmmaker and storyteller who makes modern, diverse, topical stories, with an extra dose of visual sophistication,” said UCP President Beatrice Springborn in a statement. “We loved the contemporary lens she brought to Miss Juneteenth in not only exploring, but celebrating what it means to be Black, young, and female. We are thrilled to partner with her to bring that vision, passion and immense talent to UCP.”
“I am beyond excited to partner with UCP to create specific narratives that amplify culturally rich characters rarely seen and stories rarely told – with a focus on Black women. I immediately felt a synergy with the team at UCP and I look forward to telling stories with them that are rooted in the human condition,” said the director. ‘I am grateful to have the support of an organization that shares this mission.”
Peoples who has also written episodes of Queen Sugar, recently directed an episode of HBO Max’s upcoming series Generation.
Deadline first reported this news.