Meet The TV Production Supreme: Shonda Rhimes

“I am not lucky. You know what I am? 

I am smart, I am talented, 

I take advantage of the opportunities that come my way 

and I work really, really hard.

 Don’t call me lucky. Call me a badass.”

― Shonda Rhimes

The Supreme TV production cinema queen, Shonda Rhimes holds a special place in the hearts of fans, actors, and behind-the-scenes crew, alike. Her significant and 27-year career is one to marvel at and learn from! Rhimes has become a pillar in the TV industry starting in prime time television and in recent years landing a multi-year contract with Netflix back in 2017 in which all of her future series would be streaming on the platform! Sis is a visionary and genuine story structure master! 

We thank her immensely for her creation of the tearjerking, heartbreaker, Greys Anatomy(2005- Present) with the starstudded cast including Sandra Oh, Ellen Pompeo. There’s also the jaw-dropping grab-your-popcorn munchies Scandal (2012-2018) with Kerry Washington as the unforgettable Olivia Pope. Rhimes wears many hats as showrunner, executive producer, lead researcher, and screenwriter. The Chicago native strived for a true command of writing and molding narrative having moved to California, studying cinematic arts at the University of Southern California for both her undergraduate and master's degrees.

Rhimes journey into the industry started off with struggle, yet she found a mentor in the iconic Debra Martin Chase, another empowered and skillful Black female TV producer! In addition to Chase’s guidance, Rhimes utilized her connections and made her way to work for the infamous Denzel Washington’s Mundy Lane Entertainment! 

There’s a plethora of Rhimes’ shows and films that pop culture has instantly admired. From Private Practice(2007-2013), or How to Get Away With Murder(2014-2020), to Introducing Dorothy Dandridge(1999), Rhimes has a special keen eye for procedurals, dramas, comedies, and works that reflect contemporary social activism and other important social waves. Her work has done much for introducing different roles and character archetypes for Black people, especially for Black women! In 2014, Rhimes authored the empowering memoir, “Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person”, highlighting the dramatic shifts happening in the Hollywood scene for all types of creatives in the industry, as well as her role in flipping the script on traditional TV. 

Shonda Rhimes’s works centers around themes of intersectional feminism, activism, social justice, and the complexities of humanness affecting these moments and movements for her characters.Please check out more of MamaRika’s amazing songs, videos, and messages of peace like that featured here! To keep up with supporting Ukraine citizens and refugees, check out some vetted resources from NPR here! 

If you are digging Bridgerton’s latest season, thank Ms. Rhymes for bringing a vision to life. Check out more here at Shondaland.