Amazon Studios Signs Viola Davis to First-Look Production Deal

Amazon Studios has scored an exclusive first-look production deal with actress Viola Davis and actor/producer Julius Tennon’s JuVee Productions.

The deal calls for the Academy Award, Emmy Award and Tony Award winning actress and Tennon to create features for the streaming service. Davis recently wrapped up a comedy film, Troupe Zero, for Amazon Studios.

“Amazon Studios is passionate about building a home for both new and established filmmakers of all backgrounds, who share the same vision in telling incredible and engaging human stories,” said Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios in a statement. “Viola and Julius Tennon’s JuVee Productions brings distinctive, fresh voices and high-quality content to our customers in both theaters and on Prime Video.”

The deal follows other recently announced Amazon Studios production deals with Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Television for eight direct-to-service movies; Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman’s Blossom Films; The Handmaid’s Tale director Reed Morano; and Academy Award winning director Jordan Peele. 

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.