Showrunner Mara Brock Akil unveils 2026 summer, fall cohorts
DIRECT ANSWER: Showrunner Mara Brock Akil's Writers' Colony has unveiled two new 2026 cohorts, with summer programming that began June 10 and a fall session starting Sept. 2. Each three-month Los Angeles residency supports four emerging writers as they workshop scripts and connect with entertainment professionals.
Key Takeaways
- Showrunner Mara Brock Akil's Writers' Colony announced summer and fall 2026 cohorts.
- Summer residency began June 10; the fall session starts Sept. 2 in West Adams, Los Angeles.
- Each cohort includes four emerging writers for a three-month screenwriting intensive.
- Summer and fall members span military veterans, filmmakers, and former network executives.
- The announcement follows the spring 2026 cohort featuring Jordan Rock and three other writers.
What Did the Writers' Colony Announce?
Showrunner Mara Brock Akil's Writers' Colony has unveiled two new cohorts for 2026, according to Variety. Programming began June 10 for the summer session and will begin Sept. 2 for the fall session.
The three-month screenwriting residency is based in the West Adams neighborhood of Los Angeles, next door to Brock Akil's story27 Productions company. During the program, each selected writer workshops scripts and has conversations with entertainment professionals to prepare for careers in the industry.
Each cohort consists of four emerging writers who participate in workshops, build career-driven relationships, and pitch ideas to fellow writers. For more coverage of talent pipelines and series updates, see our Streaming & TV Alerts hub.
Who Is in the 2026 Summer Cohort?
The summer cohort includes Nicole Schwegman, a former U.S. Navy Commander and White House press official who recently worked as showrunner assistant on "Watson" (CBS). Spencer Jamison, a filmmaker and 2026 Film Independent Episodic Lab Fellow, is also part of the group.
Nagee Brown, a writer and producer, and Justin Casselle, an award-winning writer-director, round out the four-member summer class now underway.
Who Makes Up the Fall 2026 Cohort?
The fall cohort consists of Charlie T. Savage, a Navy veteran and filmmaker; Malia Dawkins Jennings, a writer who worked on "Iyanu: Child of Wonder" Season 2; Leland Hall, a filmmaker and former HBO executive; and Shay Ball, a former finance professional.
Together, the eight writers across both sessions represent diverse career paths entering Brock Akil's talent development pipeline ahead of the Sept. 2 start date.
Why Does This Residency Matter for TV?
Brock Akil is currently shepherding the Netflix series "Forever." Her long resume in TV and film includes the series "Girlfriends," "The Game," and "Being Mary Jane."
"Supporting the next generation of storytellers remains at the heart of the Writers' Colony," Brock Akil said in a statement quoted by Variety. "When writers are given the space and support to deepen their craft, extraordinary things happen. Watching each cohort grow into their voices and find their place in this industry is what drives everything we do."
Previous Writers' Colony cohorts included Duran Jones, Dorado Quick, Shahari Moore, and Sunny Dae. The 2026 spring cohort included Jordan Rock, Domonic Diaz-Smith, Porscha Williams, and Corinthian Maldonado.