David Farnor | On 10, May 2020

Apple has inked an overall deal with Dickinson creator Alena Smith.

Dickinson is a half-hour comedy series that explores the constraints of society, gender and family from the perspective of rebellious young poet Emily Dickinson. Set in the 19th century, the series is a coming-of-age story that finds Emily to be the unexpected hero for the millennial generation.

Starring Hailee Steinfeld, and blending modern humour and sensibility with its period biopic framework, the show was one of Apple TV+’s most impressive originals upon the service’s launch last year. Smith wrote and created the programme, exec-producing alongside Michael Sugar, Ashley Zalta, Alex Goldstone, Darlene Hunt, Steinfeld, Paul Lee and director David Gordon Green.

This week, the show was nominated for a Peabody Award, and, hot on the heels of that success, Apple TV+ has confirmed that it has inked an overall deal with Smith. Smith, a successful playwright, has Icebergs, The Bad Guys and The Lacy Project on her CV.

The multi-year agreement will see her develop TV shows exclusively for Apple’s subscription service. That agreement starts with Season 2 of Dickinson, which has already been ordered.

Smith joins a talent roster at Apple TV+ that includes Kerry Ehrin, Alfonso Cuaron, Sharon Horgan, Oprah Winfrey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Justin Lin and Simon Kinberg.

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