Emayatzy Corinealdi To Star In Onyx Collective’s Hulu Series ‘Reasonable Doubt’ With Kerry Washington Directing
Deadline is reporting that Onyx Collective has given a series greenlight to Reasonable Doubt to stream on Hulu. 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.
“It’s hard to imagine a more ideal creative partnership for our first Onyx Collective scripted series,” said Duncan, President, 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 executive produces alongside Washington and Pilar Savone for Simpson Street and Larry Wilmore via Wilmore Films. Celebrity attorney Shawn Holley, a member of O.J. Simpson’s legal defense “Dream Team,” and Jon Leshay are co-executive producers. ABC Signature, where Mohamed, a home-gown Disney talent, and Washington have been under deals, is the studio.
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.