A+E Networks and Leah Remini Ink Multifaceted Production and First-Look Development Deal to Expand Creative Partnership

A+E Networks is expanding its relationship with Emmy(R) award-winning producer Leah Remini with an overall, exclusive first-look development deal which will see the trailblazing activist collaborate with and produce new unscripted projects for the A+E Networks portfolio. This marks the first overall deal for A+E's newly launched in-house nonfiction division, A+E Originals. A+E Networks, the industry leader in nonfiction programming, created A+E Originals to internally develop and produce premium nonfiction and documentary content for distribution across the A+E portfolio, including A&E Network, Lifetime, HISTORY, LMN and FYI. The announcement was made today by Paul Buccieri, President, A+E Networks Portfolio Group & A+E Studios.

As part of the deal, Remini and A+E Originals will collaborate to develop and produce new documentary programming, BEYOND the subject of Scientology, over the next two years. In addition, the breakout original series "Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath" has been renewed for a third season with an 8-episode order along with 5 specials on A&E Network. The series won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Informational Series or Special in 2017 as well as a Producers Guild Award and a NATPE Unscripted Breakthrough Award in 2018.

"I am so incredibly proud of this show and the movement that has started around it which continues to grow each and every day," said Remini. "I'm honored to have a home at A+E Networks and am grateful and humbled to have the opportunity to expand our relationship telling brave stories and bringing truth to light, no matter the obstacles."

"Leah is an incredible talent and collaborator with a unique point of view and we are looking forward to developing her brand of brave storytelling to new topics," said Buccieri. "The creation of A+E Originals provides the opportunity for us to partner directly with the industry's best nonfiction storytellers like Leah, both in front of and behind the camera, to bring their ideas to audiences around the world."

A+E Originals was created by Buccieri and will be spearheaded by former HISTORY executive Steve Ascher, who serves as Vice President of A+E Originals. A+E Originals plans to commission more than 50 hours of original nonfiction content in its first year. Additional details to be announced in the coming months.

"Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath" is produced for A&E Network by The Intellectual Property Corporation (IPC). Remini serves as executive producer for her No Seriously Productions. Executive producers for IPC are Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman. Myles Reiff serves as showrunner and executive producer. Executive producers for A&E Network are Devon Hammonds, Amy Savitsky and Elaine Frontain Bryant. A+E Networks holds worldwide distribution rights for "Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath."

A+E Networks(R) is an award-winning, global media content company offering consumers a diverse communications environment ranging from linear channels to websites, gaming, watch apps and educational software. A+E Networks is comprised of A&E(R), Lifetime(R), HISTORY(R), H2(R), Lifetime Movies, FYI(TM), VICELAND(R) and Blaze(TM) as well as its own long-form production division A+E Studios(TM); film division, A&E IndieFilms(R); A+E Networks Digital(R); digital storytelling hub, 45th & Dean(TM); strategic investment division, A+E Ventures(TM); and A+E Networks Consumer Products(TM). A+E Networks' channels and branded programming reach more than 335 million households in over 200 territories in 42 languages. A+E Networks is a joint venture of Disney-ABC Television Group and Hearst. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/aenetworks and Facebook at facebook.com/AENetworks

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