Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance’s Bassett Vance Productions are set to launch their first project, Monkey Boy, under their new multi-year first-look deal with 20th Television.
Currently in development at Onyx Collective, Monkey Boy, adapted from Francisco Goldman’s Pulitzer Prize-nominated novel, explores the life of an investigative journalist who uncovers a link between a political assassination in Central America and an unresolved murder in his hometown of East Boston. This discovery forces him to confront past traumas that he has long buried.
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The drama’s pilot is being written by Joshua Allen Griffith, known for Mrs. America, with Ben Smith overseeing the process. If the show moves forward, Griffith and Smith, who previously worked together on Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building, will co-write the series, with Smith serving as the showrunner. Both will also serve as executive producers alongside Bassett Vance Productions.
With their newly inked deal, the couple’s production company, Bassett Vance Productions, will develop and produce various projects, including comedies, dramas, and limited series for both traditional networks and streaming platforms within Disney Entertainment Television.
Karey Burke, president of 20th Television, lauded Bassett and Vance for their storytelling abilities. “Angela and Courtney have an extraordinary talent for bringing unique, impactful stories to life, and we are excited to enter this creative partnership with them,” Burke said. The duo has a long-standing relationship with 20th Television, with Bassett starring in and executive producing the studio’s hit series 9-1-1, as well as its spinoff 9-1-1: Lone Star. Vance is also set to appear in Grotesquerie, a new limited series from Ryan Murphy, premiering on FX and Hulu this fall.
Commenting on their new venture, Vance said, “This partnership allows us to continue creating opportunities for storytellers and to bring powerful, memorable characters and narratives to the screen.” Bassett added, “We are excited to expand our reach as producers and visionaries. The collaboration with 20th Television opens up endless possibilities for us to champion new voices and work with creators we’ve long admired.”
Bassett Vance Productions, led by President Lynnette Ramirez and Director of Development Loni Rodgers, is quickly building a diverse slate of content. Ramirez expressed enthusiasm about the deal, stating, “Partnering with a studio that offers such a wide range of opportunities is an incredible milestone for our team.”
In addition to Monkey Boy, the production company is also working on a drama series titled Keats for NBC and Universal TV. The series follows Alex Keats, a fourth-generation police officer who returns home to investigate her mother’s mysterious death, which ultimately draws her back into the police force.
Bassett Vance Productions has been busy with other successful projects as well, including the recent Showtime film Heist 88. Since joining the company in 2021, Ramirez has focused on developing stories that amplify underrepresented voices, further cementing the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in entertainment.