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Recently formed Universal Global Television is building its slate of creative deals.
Viola Davis and Julius Tennon’s JuVee Productions has signed a first-look deal with the studio, which was born in June when NBCUniversal merged UCP and Universal International Studios under Beatrice Springburn. Under the deal, JuVee will develop and produce a series for UGT.
The first look agreement with Davis and Tennon follows UGT signing an overall deal with It’s all her fault Creator Megan Gallagher, who has two projects in the works at the studio.
JuVee’s initial venture with UGT is PawnA romantic drama based on a short story by Kennedy Ryan (Before I leave). Chantelle M. wales (Daredevil: Born Again, Yellow Jackets) is adapting the story and will executive produce with Davis, Tennon, JuVee TV president Andrew Wang and Ryan.
“Since our first meeting together, we have felt uniquely connected over how we plan to bring empowering and courageous voices to the screen,” Davis and Tennon said in a statement. “We’ve been fans of Kennedy Ryan for a long time ever since reading her book Before I leaveChantelle Wells has worked on some of the most iconic shows of the past decade, finding her strength as a storyteller willing to push the boundaries of expectations. To be able to work with these forces to bring Pawn To Life with UGT speaks directly to why JuVee was created.
Pawn The series focuses on a woman named Gina Jones, who “makes a deal to become a ‘pawn’ for a Russian crime family in St. Louis, in exchange for money to pay for her ailing grandmother’s medical treatment,” as the show’s description states. “The Russians want to eliminate their rival, the North, by targeting their heir apparent, Dryden, who is also Jena’s new boss. But when Jena and Dryden’s attraction to each other becomes undeniable, she must navigate the threats and secrets of both families to move from pawn to queen.”
“Viola, Julius and Andrew have built JuVee into a home for dynamic and powerful stories – a commitment we’re proud to partner with, starting with excellent, engaging stories. Pawnsaid Springborn.
JuVee’s productions include Showtime series first lady And feature films G20 and The woman kingall of which starred Davis. The company is repped by CAA and Lichter Grossman.
Wells is repped by CAA, Amplified Management and Felker Toczek. Ryan, who also has a first-look TV deal with Universal Studio Group, is repped by CAA, Untitled, BookEnds Literary Agency, GKSD Law, and 2PM Sharp.
