Endemol Shine NA deal reunites American comedian Mo’Nique and Cris Abrego

Banijay-owned Endemol Shine North America has inked a content deal with American comedian and actress Mo’Nique.

Mo’Nique

Under the deal, Mo’Nique and her manager/husband Sidney Hicks’ production company Hicks Media Inc will develop unscripted series for Mo’Nique to both host and star in, as well as develop and produce projects for other performers.

The partnership reunites Cris Abrego, chairman of the Americas at Banijay, with Mo’Nique, who he originally cast in the unscripted series Charm School 15 years ago for VH1.

Mo’Nique started her career more than 30 years ago at a local comedy club in Baltimore before landing her breakthrough role in The Parkers, UPN’s series about a single mom who attends college with her daughter.

Since then, Mo’Nique has starred as Ma Rainey in HBO’s Bessie in 2015 and was awarded an Academy Award for her portrayal of Mary Jones in the film Precious.

Cris Abrego

Outside of film and television, Mo’Nique wrote New York Times best-selling book Skinny Women are Evil and was the first African American female comedian to have a residence in Las Vegas at the SLS Hotel.

Abrego said: “Mo’Nique is an icon in every sense of the word, and I can’t think of anyone who is more relevant and whose authentic voice should be heard right now more than hers.”

Mo’Nique and Sidney Hicks said: “It is an honour for Hicks Media Inc to be forming a partnership with such a creative force in the industry as Endemol Shine, and it is an exciting opportunity to have an ally with the fearlessness, integrity and vision of its CEO, Cris Abrego.”