The Shani doll could soon be back in the spotlight.
Variety reports that Mattel has partnered with Amazon MGM Studios to develop a live-action series based on the beloved Shani doll line that first hit shelves in the early 1990s. Emmy-winning writer and producer Janine Nabers (Swarm, Watchmen, Atlanta) has been tapped as showrunner, with Jennifer Breslow, head of scripted and unscripted television for Mattel Studios, overseeing the project.
A Family Dramedy with Legacy
The project is being described as a “family dramedy centered around the aspirational character of Shani.” If greenlit, it would mark Mattel’s first premium scripted television title—a significant move as the company continues to expand its entertainment universe following the massive success of 2023’s Barbie movie.
For Nabers, the series is another major step in a career defined by sharp, layered storytelling. She co-created Swarm with Donald Glover, which earned the pair an Emmy nomination, and her resume includes pivotal work on Atlanta, Watchmen, UnREAL, and more. Nabers is also a celebrated playwright whose works dive deep into identity and culture.
The Cultural Impact of Shani
Originally launched in 1991, The Marvelous World of Shani—created by legendary designer Kitty Black Perkins—was Mattel’s direct response to criticism that Barbie lacked diversity and failed to represent Black girls authentically. The Shani line introduced dolls Shani, Asha, and Nichelle, each with unique Afrocentric features, body molds, and hair textures, reflecting the spectrum of Black beauty.
The dolls weren’t just fashion-forward; they were empowering, offering young Black children toys that mirrored their own identities. Over time, Shani and her friends were absorbed into the broader Barbie line, but their legacy as a cultural milestone has endured.
From Barbie to Shani
News of this adaptation comes as Mattel capitalizes on renewed interest in its catalog. Greta Gerwig’s Barbie grossed nearly $1.5 billion globally and earned eight Oscar nominations, proving the appetite for toy-inspired storytelling. With Shani, Mattel appears poised to reintroduce a culturally significant brand for a new generation, this time with themes of identity, ambition, and sisterhood front and center.