Issa Rae Inks First-Look Film & TV Deal With Paramount

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Published by Gugulethu Nxumalo at January 14, 2026

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Nine-time Emmy nominee Issa Rae has signed a three-year first-look film and television production deal with Paramount, led by David Ellison, Chairman and CEO of Skydance Media.

Best known as the writer, producer, and star of HBO’s Insecure, Rae, according to Deadline, will collaborate closely with Paramount Pictures co-chairs Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, Paramount Television Studios president Matt Thunell, and Motion Picture Group president Don Granger.

Issa Rae has just made a major career move. The entertainment powerhouse has officially signed a three-year first-look deal with Paramount covering both film and television development. The agreement begins this month and marks her departure from WarnerMedia after more than a decade.

The deal follows Paramount’s merger with Skydance in August 2025. Since then, the studio has aggressively expanded its creative roster. Will Smith signed on, the Duffer Brothers joined, and Jessica Biel also came aboard. Now, Rae adds her name to that growing list.

“I’m so looking forward to starting this next chapter with the incredible team at Paramount to tell stories for and by the diverse communities that have supported my work over the years,” Rae said.

Goldberg and Greenstein echoed that enthusiasm. “Issa is a true creative force whose work consistently feels fresh, funny, and deeply human. She epitomizes the kind of exceptional artist we’re proud to partner with across film and TV to break new ground in elevated storytelling,” they said.

South L.A. native Rae rose to prominence as the creator and star of Insecure, a series that earned multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, as well as a Peabody Award. Following the show’s success, she launched Hoorae, a media company focused on pushing boundaries in storytelling and expanding representation across film, television, and digital platforms.

From HBO to Paramount

Rae built much of her empire at HBO and WarnerMedia. Her previous deal was reportedly worth $40 million over five years. During that time, she produced several standout projects. A Black Lady Sketch Show earned multiple Emmy nominations. Rap Sh!t developed a devoted audience, while Sweet Life spotlighted emerging talent.

As the industry shifted, Rae felt ready for a new chapter. Paramount presented that opportunity. Studio leadership praised her creative vision and cultural impact, emphasizing their excitement about the partnership and her ability to consistently break new ground.

Beyond her business moves, Rae continues to champion originality and ownership among emerging creators. In a recent interview with Refinery29, she offered advice to up-and-coming Black creatives.

“Try to find what your niche is in this particular marketplace. It sounds so obvious, but you’d be surprised,” Rae said. “Even in a culture of content creation, there are so many copycats. We’re in an era of people repeating other people’s words or mimicking other people’s videos. Originality is lacking in some cases. My advice is to find what nobody else is doing, identify the space you’re filling, and really think about yourself. It starts with you, then you build a community around that.”

Main Image: Hollywood actress, writer, producer, and entrepreneur Issa Rae. (photographer Tyren Redd)