About

story27 is an American film and television production company founded by writer-producer Mara Brock Akil in 2021 as part of her multi-year overall deal with Netflix. Based in the West Adams neighborhood of Los Angeles, the company was created as a creative hub dedicated to developing character-driven stories that center the humanity and lived experiences of marginalized communities while nurturing emerging writers and filmmakers. Susie Fitzgerald, formerly an executive at AMC and SundanceTV, joined the banner as President of Development to oversee its slate of film, television, and digital projects.

Under Akil’s leadership, story27 quickly built a growing slate of scripted and documentary projects. The company produced the hybrid documentary feature Stamped from the Beginning, adapted from the work of historian Ibram X. Kendi, which explores the origins and evolution of racist ideology and was recognized on the Academy Awards documentary shortlist. In television, the company’s most prominent project to date is the Netflix series Forever (2025), an adaptation of the classic novel by Judy Blume that reimagines the coming-of-age romance through the perspective of two Black teenagers navigating first love in Los Angeles. The series received critical praise and marked the first major scripted release from the banner.

Beyond its produced titles, story27 maintains an active development pipeline aimed at expanding representation in mainstream television and film. Early projects in development have included the sports-industry drama Agency, inspired by the real-life careers of sports agents Aaron and Eric Goodwin, and the speculative comedy series Astronaut Chicks, centered on four Black women pursuing ambition and purpose in a near-future world.

In addition to its production slate, story27 operates as a creative incubator through initiatives such as Akil’s Writers’ Colony, a mentorship and development program designed to support the next generation of diverse storytellers. With Akil’s long history of creating culturally impactful television—including Girlfriends, Being Mary Jane, and Black Lightning—the company has positioned itself as a platform for socially conscious, character-focused storytelling that bridges entertainment and cultural commentary.