Starz Signs Producer Tanya Saracho to Multi-Year Deal

Starz has signed Vida executive producer Tanya Saracho to a three-year production deal, network officials said.

The deal calls for Saracho to produce new projects for the premium channel as well as to remain executive producer of Starz's drama series Vida, which focuses on the lives of two Mexican-American sisters. The series debuts May 6 on the network.

“Tanya Saracho’s unique voice brings a fresh and real perspective to Latinx programming,” said Starz President of Programming Carmi Zlotnik in a statement. “We’re thrilled to have an overall deal with this tenacious playwright-turned-TV writer/executive producer who doesn’t pull any punches when bringing these characters – who are not usually seen in mainstream media –  to life.”

The deal follows Starz’s multi-year production agreement with Power creator Courtney Kemp announced in May 2017.

“I was a playwright who was still learning the ropes when Starz took a chance on me to create and showrun ‘Vida,’” said Saracho in a statement. “They nurtured and supported me during every step of the strenuous process and that is a debt that cannot be repaid. They now open their doors and offer me a home – a fertile ground to grow and amplify my voice as I continue my mission of bringing Latinx and Queer characters to the screen and I am steeped in gratitude." 

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.