CelebrityCelebrityCourtney A. Kemp, a major force in television, just made another big industry move. The acclaimed creator behind the expansive "Power" universe and Netflix's recent hit crime drama "Nemesis" has reportedly inked a multiyear overall deal with Apple TV+, marking a significant shift in her exclusive creative output.
The agreement, finalized through Kemp's production company End of Episode, grants Apple TV+ first access to any new series she develops. It also includes a first-look opportunity on film projects, solidifying Apple's position as her exclusive creative home for the foreseeable future. This high-profile announcement surfaced around May 21-22, 2026, and officially brings her prior exclusive relationship with Netflix to a close.
This latest deal represents Kemp's third major platform partnership, underscoring her consistent demand and influence in the competitive streaming landscape. Her move to Apple TV+ comes at a peak moment, with her Netflix series "Nemesis" quickly achieving global success shortly after its premiere.
Kemp's journey in television began after initially aspiring to a career in journalism. Born on May 4, 1977, in Norwalk, Connecticut, she pursued her academic interests at Brown University, earning her bachelor's degree, and later at Columbia University, where she completed a master's in English Literature. Her early professional life saw her contributing to prominent magazines like Mademoiselle and GQ, and even writing for the J.Crew catalog.
At the age of 26, Kemp transitioned to Los Angeles to pursue television writing. Her first major break came as a staff writer for "The Bernie Mac Show." She went on to contribute to several other series, including "Eli Stone," "Justice," and "Beauty & the Beast." Her work as a writer and supervising producer on the CBS political drama "The Good Wife" garnered significant recognition, leading to an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Drama Series in 2011.
Her breakthrough as a creator and showrunner arrived with the Starz crime drama "Power," which debuted on June 7, 2014. Co-created and executive produced with rapper Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson and Mark Canton, the series, which followed the character James "Ghost" St. Patrick, quickly became one of Starz's most popular offerings, drawing a substantial African American viewership. Its immense success led to the creation of an expansive universe, including spin-offs like "Power Book II: Ghost," "Power Book III: Raising Kanan," and "Power Book IV: Force," all produced under her End of Episode banner. In October 2018, Kemp had signed a long-term exclusive development and production deal with Lionsgate, the parent company of Starz, specifically committing to potential "Power" spin-offs.
In August 2021, Kemp made a significant career move by signing a multiyear, reportedly eight-figure overall deal with Netflix, transitioning her exclusive creative partnership from Lionsgate. This agreement was aimed at expanding End of Episode's global creative footprint, with a particular emphasis on championing stories from women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ voices. Chris Selak, President and Chief Content Officer of End of Episode, joined Kemp in this venture, continuing in her leadership capacity. At the time, Netflix's Head of Global TV, Bela Bajaria, praised Kemp, stating that she is "a creative force and world-builder who makes great shows," and that she admired Kemp's "clarity of vision and voice" and her "great sense for what audiences want." Kemp herself expressed excitement for the partnership, noting her anticipation to develop "diverse, multilingual, watercooler, social-media fueled series that pack a serious punch."
Despite her move to Netflix, Starz President and CEO Jeffrey Hirsch affirmed Kemp's continued involvement with the "Power" universe. He stated that Starz looked forward to continuing their "wonderful partnership" across the multiple "Power" series, and that Kemp would "continue to executive produce across all series for years to come alongside co-creator of the Power universe Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson and Mark Canton." He also confirmed that "STARZ remains the home of the Power universe."
The first major creative output from her Netflix deal was the crime drama "Nemesis," which she co-created with Tani Marole. The series, which premiered on Netflix on May 14, 2026, is set in Los Angeles and delves into themes of ambition, class, and power, starring Matthew Law as Detective Isaiah Stiles and Y'lan Noel as heist mastermind Coltrane Wilder. "Nemesis" quickly became a breakout hit, reportedly securing the number one spot in the United States on Netflix and topping charts in 15 other countries shortly after its debut. Kemp explained her vision for the show, stating, "Tani and I are excited to bring a hard-hitting psychological crime drama to Netflix, specific in location but broad in universal themes of right and wrong, love and loss, and loyalty vs. self-preservation." Nne Ebong, Vice President of Studio Scripted Series at Netflix, added that "Viewers are in for a ride with Nemesis, Courtney and Tani's bold take on the crime drama genre." Kemp further elaborated on the show's core theme, remarking, "We definitely wanted to address the idea of a nemesis, someone who takes you down because of you. You make all the wrong decisions because of them, and you blow up your whole life by making bad choices."
Kemp's consistent ability to create compelling, culturally resonant content has cemented her status as one of Hollywood's most sought-after showrunners. Her work, particularly with the "Power" franchise, has not only garnered massive viewership but has also significantly shaped conversations around Black culture and storytelling in mainstream media. Her commitment to diverse narratives, as highlighted during her Netflix deal, reflects a broader industry shift towards more inclusive storytelling, a trend she has actively championed throughout her career.
Her transition to Apple TV+ while "Nemesis" continues to perform exceptionally well globally speaks volumes about her momentum and the value she brings to any platform. Industry observers will be keenly watching to see what new, impactful series Kemp and End of Episode will develop for Apple TV+ as she embarks on this next chapter of her prolific career.