ABC Announces Black-ish Spin-off

At the 2017 Golden Globes, Tracee Ellis Ross took home the award for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical TV Series for her role as Dr. Rainbow “Bow” Johnson in the ABC original Comedy Black-ish. Ross dedicated her award to “all the women of color and colorful people whose stories, ideas and thoughts are not always considered worthy and valid and important.” As fans of the series revel in the win, there may be more good news to celebrate. ABC is looking to create a spin off to the showing starring Yara Shahidi who plays the role of Zoey, the eldest of the four Johnson children.

It seems that the ABC network is well aware of the potential Shahidi’s character possesses. The show is still in its early stages as there has yet to be any casting or script created by series creator Kenya Barris, who also acts as executive producer. Barris and ABC are said to be focusing the show around Zoey’s journey to college. It is rumored that the spinoff will be introduced as a pilot episode during the spring season of Black-ish. Another highlight of the show will center around Zoey’s Teen Vogue internship gained through her father, Dre, played by Anthony Anderson.

Shahidi, is the 16-year-old founder of “Yara’s Club”, a collaboration with the Young Women’s Leadership Network that helps youth and families in low income neighborhoods gain access to better education. Shahidi gained her role after attending school with Barris’ daughter, whom is said to have inspired Zoey’s character. While accepting a philanthropy award at the Points of Life Conference on Volunteering and Service, Shahidi said, “through my character and characters like her that the barrier of racism, ageism, sexism, and other -isms can be broken down.”