Hulu has given a series greenlight to Onyx Collective’s Reasonable Doubt. Emayatzy Corinealdi (Middle of Nowhere), is set to star in the lead role of the legal drama, from writer/executive producer Raamla Mohamed (Scandal), executive producer Kerry Washington, who will direct the first episode, and ABC Signature. This marks the first scripted series order for Onyx Collective, Disney’s new curated content brand for creators of color and underrepresented voices, led by Tara Duncan, whose output is tailored primarily for Hulu.
In Reasonable Doubt, you’ll judge Jax Stewart (Corinealdi) for her questionable ethics and wild interpretations of the law… until you’re the one in trouble. Then you’ll see her for what she is: the most brilliant and fearless defense attorney in Los Angeles who bucks the justice system at every chance she gets.
Reasonable Doubt was put on a script-to-series development track by Hulu in July with the opening of a writers room, consisting of all-black staff led by Mohamed. The project was originally set up at ABC during the 2019-20 development season, and Mohamed reworked her original script for streaming asReasonable Doubtwas taken on by Onyx Collective.
“It’s hard to imagine a more ideal creative partnership for our first Onyx Collective scripted series,” Duncan, President of Freeform and Onyx Collective. “Raamla and Kerry came to us with their passion project and a strong vision for a dynamic series that will surely get an audience talking. And to cast Emayatzy, who embodies the complexities of the lead character beautifully, was a huge get. We’re excited to bring this series to life.”
Mohamed, Washington, and Pilar Savone executive produce Simpson Street and Larry Wilmore via Wilmore Films. Shawn Holley is a celebrity attorney and a member O.J. Simpson’s legal defense “Dream Team,” and Jon Leshay are co-executive producers. ABC Signature, where Mohamed is a home-gown Disney talent and Washington have been subject to deals, is the studio.
“I am beyond thrilled that my first television show will be part of the Onyx Collective,” Mohamed said. “As a 2012 alum of the ABC/Disney Writer’s Program, I’ve been in the Disney family for a minute now and it has always been my dream to be able to create the kind of series based on people that look like me and made by people who look like me. I am grateful to Tara Duncan, Shawn Holley, Simpson Street, Wilmore Films and ABC Signature for believing in this project from the beginning and trusting it in my hands. And I’m especially excited to be working with Kerry as a director on what is our third project together. As the kids say, I love this for us.”
This is the latest collaboration between Mohamed and Washington followingScandalandLittle Fires Everywhere,both starring Washington. Mohamed was most recently a writer on the Hulu/ABC Signature limited seriesLittle Fires Everywhere, which Washington executive produced via Simpson Street.
“Simpson Street was founded with the belief that we are each the lead character in the story of our lives regardless of who we are, where we are born, what we believe or who we love,” Washington said. “Each of us deserves to be and to see ourselves at the center of the narrative. It’s a privilege to partner with Onyx, a brand dedicated to centering creators of color and underrepresented voices, on their first scripted drama series. I am excited to be working with the great Larry Wilmore and to be once again collaborating with the brilliant Raamla Mohamed, who will lead an all-Black writers room on a series led by the phenomenal Emayatzy Corinealdi. This is a proud moment for all of us at Simpson Street and we could not ask for better partners all around.”
Corinealdi’s breakout performance in Middle of Nowhere, directed by Ava DuVernay, earned her a Breakthrough Actor honor at the Gotham Awards and a Best Actress Independent Spirit Award nomination. She also starred in Miles Ahead, opposite Don Cheadle, and in Karyn Kusama’s psychological thriller, The Invitation. UTA, Atlas Artists and Del Shaw represent Corinealdi.
Washington has previously directed episodes of Scandal, SMILF and Insecure She is repped by CAA, Washington Square Arts, and Hansen Jacobson Teller.
Mohammed got her start at Shondaland. She began as a production assistant onGrey’s Anatomyand went on to work as a medical researcher onOff the Mapbefore becoming a researcher onScandalduring season 1. After being accepted into the Disney-ABC Writing Program, Mohamed returned toScandal, joining the writing staff for season 2 as a Disney fellow, and rising through the ranks to Supervising Producer for the series’ seventh and final season. She also was a writer on Shondaland’sStill Star Crossedand developed with Issa Rae at HBO. UTA has her represented as well as Dean Bahat, an attorney.