Thuso Mbedu signs content deal with Paramount's social impact division

• Thuso Mbedu has landed a first-look deal with Paramount+'s VIS Social Impact division.
• The International Emmy nominee will create, develop, and produce exclusive scripted and documentary programmes for the studio outside the US.
• "Thank you to Viacom and Georgia Arnold for giving us a chance to collaborate with our peers in crafting important and impactful stories," she wrote on Instagram.

Thuso Mbedu will create content for Paramount+ after signing a first-look deal with the VIS Social Impact division.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the social impact unit, with Georgia Arnold as Senior Vice President of International Social Responsibility, focuses on "ground-breaking social impact-driven content addressing climate, equity and health for the ViacomCBS portfolio of brands, including Paramount+, as well as for third-party partners."

Arnold was the executive producer of MTV Shuga, which Mbedu also starred in.

Deadline reports that The Underground Railroad actor will create, develop, and produce exclusive scripted and documentary programmes for Paramount+ outside the US.

Arnold said in a statement: "Having been privileged to work with Thuso on MTV Shuga: Down South, I've seen her powerful creative talent first-hand; I'm in no doubt that her skill and expertise will help our studio develop ground-breaking social impact-driven content with worldwide appeal."

She also tweeted: "Thuso's an amazing talent, and I'm so looking forward to seeing what she creates with us."

The International Emmy nominee said in a statement: "As Africans, we have so many unique and diverse cultures, histories and experiences that the world needs to see and hear about and, as an African woman, to get an opportunity to tell stories that will uplift, empower and shape new ways of thinking and seeing the world, is absolutely amazing."

Sharing the news on Instagram, Mbedu wrote: "Thank you to Viacom and Georgia Arnold for giving us a chance to collaborate with our peers in crafting important and impactful stories."

The Is'thunzi actor made history when she became the first South African to be cast as the lead in a US television series.

For her role in the Barry Jenkins limited series, she won a Spirit Award, a Gotham Award, and the award for TV Breakout Star at the Hollywood Critic's Association TV Awards.

Mbedu's next project is the feature film The Woman King alongside Viola Davis and John Boyega.