Key Takeaways
- Tracee Ellis Ross and Joy Mill Entertainment have entered a multi-year deal with Fox Entertainment Studios
- The partnership includes a first-look deal for scripted content and an overall deal for unscripted content
- Joy Mill’s scripted slate will span across comedy, drama, and animation, with unscripted and reality formats to be developed as well
- Adriana Ambriz will continue as Joy Mill’s head of development, a position she has held since 2020
- Tracee Ellis Ross is known for her work in TV and film, including "Black-ish," "Girlfriends," and "The High Note"
Introduction to Tracee Ellis Ross and Joy Mill Entertainment
Tracee Ellis Ross, the talented actress and producer, has made a significant move in the entertainment industry. Her production company, Joy Mill Entertainment, has entered into a multi-year deal with Fox Entertainment Studios. This partnership is a major milestone for both parties, as it entails a first-look deal for scripted content and an overall deal for unscripted content produced by Joy Mill. The deal is expected to bring a new wave of exciting and innovative content to the screens, with Joy Mill’s scripted slate spanning across comedy, drama, and animation, as well as unscripted and reality formats.
Tracee Ellis Ross’s Background and Experience
Tracee Ellis Ross is no stranger to the entertainment industry. She is best known for starring as Dr. Rainbow Johnson in the Kenya Barris-created sitcom "Black-ish," which ran on ABC for eight seasons from 2014 to 2022. Before that, she led the Mara Brock Akil comedy "Girlfriends" as Joan Carol Clayton for eight seasons on UPN and later the CW. Her other prominent credits include the 2020 film "The High Note," which she executive produced in addition to starring, the 2023 film "American Fiction," and the Season 7 "Black Mirror" episode "Common People." In 2022, Hulu and the Oprah Winfrey Network debuted "The Hair Tales," a docuseries Ross created about the history and significance of Black hair. She is also the founder of the hair care brand Pattern Beauty.
The Partnership with Fox Entertainment Studios
The partnership between Joy Mill Entertainment and Fox Entertainment Studios is a significant one, with both parties expressing their excitement and enthusiasm for the collaboration. Hannah Pillemer, head of scripted at Fox Entertainment Studios, and Allison Wallach, head of unscripted, praised Tracee Ellis Ross, saying, "Tracee is a singular force, creative, purposeful and culturally undeniable. Her instincts, curiosity and drive make her an exceptionally creative and prolific partner. We’re excited to team up with Tracee and Joy Mill Entertainment to create work that inspires, entertains and reflects the world through their distinctly authentic lens." Ross also expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, "Joining the Fox Entertainment Studios family marks an exciting next chapter for Joy Mill Entertainment. At Joy Mill, our focus is in creating and producing entertaining, culture-bending stories centered around identity and joy, and from our earliest conversations with Fox, it was clear that they shared the same vision."
The Future of Joy Mill Entertainment
With this new partnership, Joy Mill Entertainment is expected to expand its platform and produce even more exciting and innovative content. Adriana Ambriz, who has been Joy Mill’s head of development since 2020, will continue in her role, overseeing the development of new projects. The future of Joy Mill Entertainment looks bright, with Tracee Ellis Ross at the helm and a talented team behind her. As Ross said, "I’m excited to collaborate with Hannah, Allison, Fernando Szew, Tomii Crump and their incredible teams as we continue to expand our platform." With this partnership, Joy Mill Entertainment is poised to make a significant impact on the entertainment industry, bringing new and exciting stories to the screens.


