Tyler Perry Studios Partners With Asylum Entertainment Group to Develop Unscripted Programming

Tyler Perry is getting real. The entertainment mogul’s Tyler Perry Studios has partnered with Asylum Entertainment Group in a joint venture to create and produce unscripted content. As part of the news, Antoinetta Stallings has been named vice president of unscripted programming for Tyler Perry Studios.

Under the new deal, Tyler Perry Studios and Asylum will co-develop, co-produce and distribute unscripted programming.

“I’m excited to bring the world of unscripted content to Tyler Perry Studios,” Perry said in a statement. “We’ve never tapped into this area of entertainment before and we’re looking forward to working closely with Asylum to bring unique real world stories to life. I’m also proud to recognize the work that Antoinetta has been doing at the studio and promote her to this position of overseeing this new creative arm at the studio.”

The news comes as Perry continues to expand his busy slate of output at his company. He recently struck a new multi-year deal with BET Media Group that included the renewal of eight of his shows for BET and its BET+ streamer. That pact came soon after Perry expanded his deal with Netflix, adding TV series to the mix. 

Asylum Entertainment Group — part of Endeavor’s non-scripted content group — is behind television, features, documentaries and unscripted series including “30 for 30,” limited series “The Kennedys” and documentary “How I Caught My Killer.”  The partnership with Tyler Perry Studios comes following recent investments in UK-based production companies Moon&Back Media, Soho Studios Entertainment and DARE Pictures, in addition to a creative partnership with Scott Weintrob’s Large Eyes Entertainment.

“Our collaboration with Tyler Perry Studios represents a fusion of unrivaled talent, ingenuity and passion for storytelling,” said Asylum CEO Steve Michaels in a statement. “Together, we are poised to make our mark on the unscripted landscape by creating content that entertains, inspires and reflects the rich tapestry of human experiences.”

As for Stallings, she first joined Tyler Perry Studios as a post producer in 2019, later becoming a creative exec, handling development and current programming on the scripted side. She began her career as a talent production assistant on “Nick Cannon Presents: Wild N Out,” then moved to production at Cossette Productions and in BET’s music programming division. As a producer, she’s worked in “106 & Park,” “Rising Icons” and “Black Girls Rock.” Later, at Fremantle, her credits included A&E’s “Grand Designs,” TLC’s “Down South Dance” and Fox’s “Take Me Out.” Stallings co-executive produced the documentary Killer Curves and earned an Emmy nom for the PBS documentary “The Price of Silence.”