Black-ish creator Kenya Barris may be exiting ABC Studios.
The Hollywood Reporter's sources say Barris is trying to leave his contract with the network. Barris reportedly signed a four-year deal in 2017, but he's eyeing the possibility of joining Shonda Rhimes and Ryan Murphy in obtaining a Netflix deal. "Talks are very real," said the source.
The news comes after ABC reportedly shelved a political Black-ish episode, "Please Baby Please," that delved into NFL players' right to kneel during the National Anthem.
"One of the things that has always made Black-ish so special is how it deftly examines delicate social issues in a way that simultaneously entertains and educates," an ABC spokesperson told Variety. "However, on this episode there were creative differences we were unable to resolve."
Since its premiere three years ago, Black-ish has celebrated critical acclaim and high ratings. Barris also won a Peabody and scored two best comedy Emmy nominations. The series, starring Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross as parents of five, even spun off into the Yara Shahidi–led Freeform show, Grown-ish, about their daughter's time in college.
