Weeds Creator in New Deal with Lionsgate

LOS ANGELES: Lionsgate has signed a new two-year TV production and development deal with Jenji Kohan, the creator and executive producer of the acclaimed Showtime series Weeds, with a musical comedy pilot already in the works.

Kohan is currently developing with the studio an untitled musical comedy pilot for Showtime with Weeds writer Stephen Falk.  She will also continue to serve as showrunner and executive producer of Weeds, which heads into season six this summer. In addition, she is exec-producing Lionsgate’s Tough Trade, an original series pilot for EPIX. 

“Jenji is brilliantly talented, funny and fearless and a highly valued member of the Lionsgate TV family,” said Kevin Beggs, Lionsgate’s president of television programming and production. “Weeds has become a signature show for Lionsgate around the world, helping to define our TV brand, and we have Jenji to thank for that.”

Kohan added: “Having gotten to second base with Lionsgate in my former ‘under the shirt but over the bra’ deal, it’s a thrill to now be in bed with them and going all the way. Let us hope our creative offspring make us both proud and happy for years to come. And when I say ‘come’, don’t read into it. It’s a business deal. Get your minds out of the gutter.”