The prolific creator, Darren Star, has gracefully exited the studio that nurtured his masterpieces, "Emily in Paris" and "Younger," embarking on a new journey. His departure from MTV Entertainment Studios, a long-time home at Paramount Global, marks a significant milestone as he inks a lucrative overall deal with Universal Television.
With this new eight-figure agreement, Star retains a carve-out, ensuring his continued reign as the showrunner of "Emily in Paris" should Netflix extend its run beyond the upcoming fourth season. Beyond the Parisian streets, Star's creative vision will expand to NBCUniversal's broadcast network and streaming platforms, as well as other external outlets.
"Darren is a unique voice whose signature shows have graced multiple networks and platforms since the dawn of his illustrious career, from the serene hills of Beverly to the bustling streets of NYC to the glamorous Champs-Elysees," exclaimed Pearlena Igbokwe, chairman of Universal Studio Group. "As we seek to attract top talents to our studios, Donna [Langley] and I often discuss brand-defining storytellers, and Darren stands out as one of the few renowned names whose narratives have captivated television audiences for over three decades. We eagerly await championing his remarkable vision."
Over a three-decade-long career, Star has crafted numerous hits, including HBO's "Sex and the City," Fox's "Beverly Hills, 90210," and "Melrose Place." He continues to serve as an executive producer for Max's "And Just Like That."
"Donna Langley inspires me with her visionary and passionate approach to storytelling, and I'm thrilled to collaborate with Pearlena Igbokwe and the esteemed team at Universal Television," Star expressed in a statement announcing the deal. "I'm excited to embark on this creative partnership with NBCUniversal, where I'll have the unique opportunity to develop captivating shows not only for our internal portfolio, including Peacock, but also for external platforms and networks."
Star's signing represents a significant coup for Universal Television, which recently recruited Kevin Williamson ("Dawson's Creek," "Scream") to its ranks after his prolonged tenure at Warner Bros. TV. Both agreements signal a fresh wave of overall deals emerging from last year's writers strike.
In the post-Peak TV era of consolidation, overall deals have become increasingly rare, and even prolific producers have faced significant reductions in their price tags. Star had previously inked consecutive deals with Chris McCarthy's MTV Entertainment Studios, culminating in a company-wide agreement with Paramount Global. "Emily in Paris," originally developed for TV Land, found its home at Netflix after the cable network exited the scripted originals business, establishing itself as one of the streaming giant's top comedies. His other recent show, "Uncoupled," on Netflix, met an untimely demise after just one season, only to be rescued by Paramount's Showtime (now helmed by Chris McCarthy) before ultimately being shelved.
Star is represented by UTA and Ziffren Brittenham.
