Octavia Spencer’s Orit Entertainment and Skydance Television have entered into a multi-year first-look deal for scripted TV projects.
The Oscar-winning actress’ Shingle, led by Brian Clisham and Stephanie Kluft, will develop and produce original series for the studio behind Grace and Frankie, Reacher, Foundation and Jack Ryan by Tom Clancy — with the potential for Spencer to star in one.
“They have exquisite taste and the commercial viability of their projects… no one compares,” Spencer says THR. “We have nine active projects and development with them, a lot of things we haven’t even announced yet, so this is about working with people who can get things done and make top quality shows.”
Spencer, who currently stars in Orit’s production Truth be told on Apple TV+, has previously produced Self Made: Inspired by the life of Mrs. CJ Walker and the short documentary Right to try. Her company signed a similar deal for unscripted with ID, Discovery+ and October Films in June. (Spencer previously had a scripted pod deal with 20th TV.)
“We are thrilled to be working with Octavia and everyone at Orit Entertainment,” said Matt Thunell, president of Skydance Television. “I’ve known Octavia and Brian for years and am so thankful they chose to make Skydance their home. We are excited to support Orit’s mission by creating entertaining, provocative and heartfelt stories, and we know we will do great things together.”
Launched in 2019, Orit Entertainment is led by Spencer and Clisham, with Kluft as head of production and development. The company’s recent pact with ID, discovery+ and October Films has already seen two projects in production, including the true crime documentary series Highway 20about a stretch of road in Oregon where many women and girls went missing between the 1970s and 1990s.
