AMC Networks strikes talent deals to fuel expanding true crime offer

AMC Networks is preparing to ramp up its true crime offering by signing talent deals with a quartet of creatives.

The US outfit has struck partnerships with Mona Chalabi (The Fix, Vagina Dispatches), Naomi Ekperigin (Broad City, Couples Therapy), Cameron Esposito (Queery, Take My Wife) and Jena Friedman (The Daily Show, Soft Focus) as it looks to develop original series for its linear networks and streamers.

AMC said it will retain its “talent-driven approach to distinctive true crime content” by working with the quartet on programming “that delivers entertaining, unexpected and progressive points of view in the true crime genre space.”

Producing partners Left/Right and World of Wonder are on board to develop projects, with AMC Studios distributing forthcoming true crime series internationally.

Dan McDermott, president of original programming at AMC Networks’ entertainment group, and co-president of AMC Studios, said: “Mona, Naomi, Cameron and Jena each bring a unique perspective to the true crime conversation while delivering thought-provoking cultural observations and we are thrilled to collaborate with them as we continue to build upon our recent, critically acclaimed successes in this space.”

Chalabi, who combines journalism with illustrations to provide her take on social injustices, has written for shows including the BBC’s The Frankie Boyle Show and Nat Geo’s Star Talk, while Ekperigin has worked on programmes including Search Party and co-hosts podcast Couples Therapy.

Esposito is known for her podcast Queery, which features interviews with leading LGBTQ+ figures, and Friedman spent three years as a field producer for Samantha Bee, John Oliver and Michael Che. She was also a writer for The Late Show With David Letterman, while