LIONSGATE TELEVISION GROUP INKS DEAL WITH DEAR WHITE PEOPLE CREATOR JUSTIN SIMIEN TO DEVELOP ORIGINAL SERIES

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Jul 10, 2018, 12:00 ET

SANTA MONICA, Calif. and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Deepening its roster of premium talent relationships, global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) today announced an overall deal with its Dear White People creator, writer and producer Justin Simien to develop and produce original programming for the Lionsgate Television Group. The deal follows the recently announced third season renewal of the hit series Dear White People.

The partnership is an expansion of the Company's longstanding relationship with the multi-hyphenate behind Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions' breakout feature film Dear White People and the critically-acclaimed Lionsgate television series, which was renewed for another season and has earned a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score for its first two seasons.

"We're thrilled to expand our multifaceted relationship with the incredibly talented Justin Simien who has already shepherded one of the most exciting cross-divisional properties in our portfolio," said Lionsgate Executive Vice President and Head of Worldwide Scripted Television Chris Selak. "Justin has an original, bold and refreshing creative voice that has become part of the national conversation, and we can't wait for the projects he'll bring us next."

"Lionsgate embraces the creative vision of its artists and is committed to ground-breaking original content for its audiences," said Simien. "I couldn't be more excited to expand my collaboration with Kevin, Chris and the rest of the television team on exciting new projects that speak to our diverse viewers while continuing to push the envelope creatively."

Simien joins a roster of elite Lionsgate Television creative talent that includes Dear White People showrunner Yvette Lee Bowser (Black-ish), Eric and Kim Tannenbaum (Two and a Half Men), Courtney Kemp (Power), Paul Feig (The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale), Eugenio Derbez and Ben O'Dell (Overboard, Instructions Not Included), Nashville's Ed Zwick & Marshall Herskovitz, Joel Silver (The Matrix and Lethal Weapon franchises) and Dexter's John Goldwyn, among others.

Simien is represented by WME and 42West.

ABOUT LIONSGATE
The first major new studio in decades, Lionsgate is a global content platform whose films, television series, digital products and linear and over-the-top platforms reach next generation audiences around the world. In addition to its filmed entertainment leadership, Lionsgate content drives a growing presence in interactive and location-based entertainment, gaming, virtual reality and other new entertainment technologies. Lionsgate's content initiatives are backed by a 16,000-title film and television library and delivered through a global licensing infrastructure. The Lionsgate brand is synonymous with original, daring and ground-breaking content created with special emphasis on the evolving patterns and diverse composition of the Company's worldwide consumer base.

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SOURCE Lionsgate