The CW is standing by Black Lightning showrunner Salim Akil. This comes after Akil faced a series of accusations of non-consensual assault and battery and breach of contract as part of a lawsuit last year. Black Lightning producer Warner Bros Television launched an internal investigation last year in the wake of the…

Two months and one series cancellation after being accused of severe abuse and copyright theft by Amber Dixon Brenner, Black Lightning showrunner Salim Akil yesterday sought to have the whole matter tossed into the legal dustbin. “Defendant denies, generally and specifically, each and every allegation contained in…

EXCLUSIVE: "I got to a point where I could no longer live with myself and be the mother I wanted to be, be the Amber I always dreamed of being if I tolerated the history of the abuse," says Amber Dixon Brenner of why she recently filed domestic abuse and copyright infringement lawsuits against Love Is _ and Black Light…

After just one season, Love Is_ has been canceled by OWN as executive producer Salim Akil faces allegations of domestic violence and lifting the idea for the series from an ex-lover. "OWN has decided not to move forward with the second season of Love Is _ ," the Oprah Winfrey founded outlet said Wednesday, almost five…

Four days after accusations of domestic violence and copyright infringement emerged against Black Lightning showrunner Salim Akil, attorneys for the EP today categorically deny the allegations. Said attorney Stephen D. Barnes of law firm Barnes, Morris, Klein, & Yorn in a statement given to Deadline: “These…

EXCLUSIVE: Less than a day after a very specific and deeply detailed domestic violence lawsuit against Black Lightning showrunner Salim Akil emerged, Warner Bros TV has started an investigation on the CW series. While not saying anything publicly and taking a stance of innocent until proven guilty when it comes to the…

Black Lightning executive producer Salim Akil has been accused of repeated "non-consensual assault and battery" by a woman who says she was the married man's lover for over a decade. As well as an extremely detailed and specific complaint for domestic violence and breach of contract filed in Los Angeles Superior Court…

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network has ordered a second season of its hit romantic drama series Love Is ___ from Mara Brock Akil (Being Mary Jane, The Game, Girlfriends) and Salim Akil (Black Lightning). The renewals come amid strong ratings for the series, which premiered June 19 with 1.2 million viewers and a 1.2 rating…

On Saturday the topic of “power” in the industry took center stage at the “It’s a Power Play” panel at the ATX Television Festival. With the current #MeToo movement and the push for inclusive voices to be heard on television, Jessica Rhoades (executive producer, Sharp Objects), Salim Akil (co-creator, Black…

“I’m in love with a guy I don’t even know.” Here’s the first extended trailer for Love Is___, the new OWN drama series from Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil. Set primarily in 1990s Los Angeles against the backdrop of Black Hollywood, the series follows Nuri (Michele Weaver) and Yasir (Will Catlett), a couple from…

When it came to creating the world of Black Lightning, the executive producers elected to approach this superhero tale from a different angle, beginning with his rebirth rather than telling an origin story. “I wanted to talk about the idea of being pulled back into your community,” said EP and showrunner Salim Akil…

CW’s Black Lightning is making a mark as one of the few live-action comic book adaptions to feature predominantly Black superheroes. Additionally, instead of battling the usual breed of adversaries —  aliens, highly skilled ninjas, metahumans, etc —  the family of superheroes tackles worldly issues like drugs and gang…