For many, Kerry Washington remains synonymous with Olivia Pope, the formidable crisis manager from the acclaimed series Scandal. However, beyond the glitz and glamour of Washington D.C. intrigue, Washington has been quietly building another empire, one focused on amplifying voices often unheard in mainstream media. Through her production company, Simpson Street, founded in 2016, Washington has become a driving force in bringing diverse narratives to the forefront, producing critically acclaimed shows like Little Fires Everywhere, UnPrisoned, and Reasonable Doubt. At the heart of this endeavor is a partnership with Pilar Savone, Simpson Street’s Executive Vice President of Production and Development, who joined Washington’s team in 2018. Together, they are shaping a landscape where inclusivity and compelling storytelling reign supreme. This article delves into the journey of Simpson Street, exploring its origins, mission, key projects, and vision for the future of entertainment.
The Genesis of Simpson Street: From Django Unchained to Production Powerhouse
The partnership between Kerry Washington and Pilar Savone wasn’t born in the executive suites of Hollywood, but rather on the intense and demanding set of Quentin Tarantino’s 2012 film, Django Unchained. Washington recounts, “It’s Django – we met on Django! What an exciting project to be a part of, but also really challenging, creatively – really challenging, logistically.” This shared experience, navigating the complexities and intensity of such a project, forged a strong bond between the two women. Washington recognized Savone’s exceptional skills and collaborative spirit amidst the on-set pressures. “I saw that Pilar & I had really good chemistry, but I also saw that she had great chemistry with other members on my team because we were always navigating a lot of shifts & changes and tiny crises on-set.”
Savone echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the immediate connection and shared vision. “We worked on this one project together and I think we realized that we had a lot of chemistry in that way, and kind of wanted to be putting the same thing out into the world.” Before solidifying their partnership, Washington ensured due diligence, putting Savone “through the ringer” to confirm their mutual goals and aspirations for a successful and meaningful collaboration. This rigorous process underscored the seriousness and intention behind the formation of Simpson Street in 2016, a company built on a foundation of shared values and a desire to create impactful content.
A Mission to Center the Margins: Simpson Street’s Core Values
While Simpson Street navigates various genres and themes, a central tenet of their work is the commitment to centering marginalized voices. Washington clarifies that while some might perceive their work as strictly political, their approach is more nuanced. “I think there is this assumption that Simpson Street has like a strictly political mandate – that we’re coming at things at a participant-like lens, but we’re not. We gravitate toward a lot of different kinds of materials and genres and tones and themes, but I think often because we are centering marginalized folks, in particular Black women but all kinds of marginalized folks, that we get thought of as political because it’s a political act to center people that society doesn’t always want to put in the center of the story.”
This “political act” is not about overt advocacy, but rather about recognizing the inherent value and universality of stories from communities often relegated to the periphery. Simpson Street seeks to tell stories about “very unique people, cultures, situations, but developing stories – frameworks that are about the things we all share.” They explore the intersection of unique experiences with universal human desires – the longing for love, belonging, and the commonality of fear and the heroic journey. This approach ensures that while stories are rooted in specific cultural contexts, they resonate with audiences across diverse backgrounds, fostering empathy and understanding.
Spotlight on Success: Key Projects from Simpson Street
Simpson Street has quickly established itself as a production house with a keen eye for quality and impactful storytelling. Their portfolio boasts a range of projects that exemplify their mission to amplify diverse voices and explore complex themes.
Little Fires Everywhere: A Groundbreaking Start
One of Simpson Street’s early and most significant successes was the limited series Little Fires Everywhere, which premiered on Hulu in 2020. Based on Celeste Ng’s bestselling novel, the series, starring and co-produced by Washington alongside Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, delved into themes of race, class, and motherhood in a compelling and nuanced way. Little Fires Everywhere garnered critical acclaim and resonated deeply with audiences, setting a high bar for Simpson Street’s future projects. The collaboration with Hello Sunshine highlighted Simpson Street’s commitment to partnership and working with like-minded creatives to bring powerful stories to life.
UnPrisoned & Reasonable Doubt: Continuing the Narrative on Hulu
Simpson Street’s relationship with Hulu continued to flourish with the subsequent premieres of UnPrisoned and Reasonable Doubt. UnPrisoned, a dramedy starring Kerry Washington and Delroy Lindo, tackles the complexities of family, forgiveness, and the impact of the criminal justice system. Savone notes that initially, the script resonated with their personal experiences with their fathers, evolving into a deeper exploration of systemic issues. “When we first read that script, it was really about a father and a daughter… Kerry and I both have really great relationships with our dads, so I think it really spoke to that, more so than anything. Then, as we started to dig in even more, it started to become about the criminal justice system.”
Reasonable Doubt, on the other hand, offers a sexy and thrilling legal drama centered around Jax Stewart, a brilliant defense attorney navigating complex cases and personal dilemmas. Starring Emayatzy Corinealdi and Morris Chestnut, Reasonable Doubt showcases Simpson Street’s versatility in genre and their ability to create engaging entertainment that also sparks conversation. Both UnPrisoned and Reasonable Doubt have returned for second seasons, a testament to their popularity and Simpson Street’s consistent delivery of quality content.
Daughters: Expanding into Documentary with Netflix
Expanding beyond scripted series, Simpson Street ventured into documentary filmmaking with Daughters, which premiered on Netflix after winning an award at Sundance. This poignant documentary follows a group of young girls as they reconnect with their incarcerated fathers. Daughters exemplifies Simpson Street’s commitment to diverse storytelling extending beyond fiction, highlighting real-life narratives that deserve wider attention. Washington emphasizes the range of their projects, stating, “I love when you point to those three projects – they could not be more different. One is a really heartbreaking, heart-opening documentary. One is a really sexy, thrilling one-hour drama and the other is a poignant, heartfelt half-hour dramedy. They’re all very different projects – and yet, they do all have these themes of justice and what it means to be a young, Black girl or a Black woman in society today.”
Navigating the Evolving Entertainment Landscape
The entertainment industry is in a state of constant flux, and Simpson Street is keenly aware of the challenges and opportunities that arise from this evolving landscape. Coming out of the pandemic and navigating the aftermath of writers’ and actors’ strikes, Washington observes a shift in industry dynamics. “I think one of the gifts of these really challenging years… is that we have had to be much more discerning and specific about what we really want to do. The landscape is hard – the ecosystem can be really challenging right now. People are a little bit more risk-averse – budgets are tighter.”
This environment necessitates a more focused and passionate approach to project selection. Simpson Street now prioritizes material that they “100% love and are ready to fight to the end to make it live.” This heightened sense of purpose provides clarity and drives the company forward in a challenging market. Savone further highlights the cautious nature of the current industry, noting the difficulty in getting projects greenlit, particularly those from unknown writers or stories perceived as niche. “Sometimes, we have to be the ones to say this is really great and there is something there, but I think getting this made right now is going to be really challenging, whether it’s an unknown writer or it’s not a story that feels like it’s going to hit the masses. I think because everybody is so risk-averse.” Despite these hurdles, Simpson Street remains committed to pushing boundaries and championing unique narratives.
The Power of Partnership and Innovation at Simpson Street
A key element of Simpson Street’s success is their emphasis on collaboration and partnership. Washington emphasizes, “We really believe in the power of partnership.” Their successful collaboration with Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine on Little Fires Everywhere is a prime example. Looking ahead, Simpson Street is developing an exciting project with Elisabeth Moss’s company, Love & Squalor Pictures, for Apple. These partnerships extend beyond co-production, representing a shared commitment to creative vision and the often demanding work of bringing projects to fruition. Washington values partnering with other artists “who are as committed to carrying water and operating, as both actors and producers, as we are.”
Reflecting on Simpson Street’s evolution, Savone highlights the tangible progress they have made. “We’ve actually been able to get things done and get things made and get them on the air.” While early pilots might not have seen the light of day, these experiences were crucial learning opportunities. The fact that Simpson Street currently has two shows airing is considered a significant achievement in today’s competitive landscape. This track record, a portfolio of released content, serves as a powerful testament to their capabilities and vision, demonstrating not just the aspiration to create, but the proven ability to deliver.
Simpson Street’s Vision: Belonging and Shared Humanity
Ultimately, Simpson Street’s overarching vision is to foster a sense of belonging and connection through their storytelling. Washington articulates this core message: “We want people to feel like they belong. We want people to feel like no matter who you are or where you come from, that your story matters and that you belong. We want you to see yourself in stories that look like you and sound like you and reflect your particular life experience, but we also want you to see yourself in stories that look nothing like you or where you come from. We want people to connect more deeply with themselves and with their shared humanity with others.” This desire to bridge divides and highlight shared human experiences is at the heart of Simpson Street’s mission.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Simpson Street
As Simpson Street looks to the future, their ambition remains strong. Savone outlines their growth trajectory: “It’s to continue to grow. We’re lucky that we have two shows on the air right now. Next year, we want three. We have a movie in development at Netflix called Rockaway that we’re really hoping will go. The Diahann Carroll project is something that we are really, really excited about.” This Diahann Carroll project holds particular significance for Washington, representing a “pinch me” moment where the daughter of one of her role models approached Simpson Street to develop a show inspired by Carroll’s life.
Beyond specific projects, Washington emphasizes Simpson Street’s continued commitment to complex and nuanced storytelling. “In our work, we don’t shy away from having difficult, nuanced, complicated conversations. We’re not afraid of complexity in the stories that we tell and the characters we bring forward.” This dedication to tackling challenging themes and representing multifaceted characters will undoubtedly remain a hallmark of Simpson Street productions. Washington’s own continued public engagement, including her advocacy for reproductive rights and support for political figures like Vice President Kamala Harris, further underscores her commitment to using her platform for broader societal impact.
For industry creatives facing challenges in getting their stories told, Washington offers a message of solidarity and a call to action for gatekeepers. “We see you. We relate – it’s tough! I want to be honest – I guess that’s part of it, right? Sometimes, there’s the assumption that like because you’re a Kerry Washington, everything’s a slam dunk and that is just not the case. It’s hard for all of us right now and I think it’s important to say that.” She urges decision-makers to remember the creative heart of the industry amidst financial pressures, advocating for courage and risk-taking even in a risk-averse environment. “We have to make sure that we stay human and stay creative and have the courage, even in the risk-averse environment, to take risks.”
Simpson Street, under the leadership of Kerry Washington and Pilar Savone, is not just a production company; it’s a movement. It’s a testament to the power of diverse voices, the importance of inclusive storytelling, and the enduring impact of content that not only entertains but also connects us on a deeper human level. As they continue to grow and evolve, Simpson Street is poised to remain a vital force in shaping a more representative and resonant entertainment landscape.
