The youngest person to ever be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Malala Yousafzai, sets her sights on creating enriching content for children with Apple TV+. Under a brand-new multiyear programming partnership that Apple announced Monday, the Pakistani education activist and women’s rights hero will produce original content for the streaming television service.
While the first venture for Yousafzai will be geared towards children, it’s not all this talented 23-year-old has up her sleeve!
Malala Yousafzai will create a children’s series for Apple TV+ and we can expect the partnership with the streamer to feature even more programming from her in the future.
“I believe in the power of stories to bring families together, forge friendships, build movements, and inspire children to dream,” a statement from Malala Yousafzai released by Apple TV+ reads. “And I couldn’t ask for a better partner than Apple to help bring these stories to life. I’m grateful for the opportunity to support women, young people, writers, and artists in reflecting the world as they see it.”
The currently unnamed children’s series will be first out of the gate, but that’s not all we should expect to see from Apple and Yousafzai. There’s more than just things your kids to enjoy coming from the author.
What a perfect way to kick off #InternationalWomensDay! @Malala, this is such exciting news! And thank you @GayleKing for the great conversation. https://t.co/YhWJEYGR7Y
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) March 8, 2021
Yousafzai’s new production company called Extracurricular will focus on all manner of original content for Apple TV+. Expect to see original dramas, comedies, documentaries, and animated programming from the creator on the streaming service.
All of the original programming Yousafzai makes for Apple TV+ will “draw on her ability to inspire people around the world,” Apple said in the press release.
In a recent interview with CBS’ Gayle King, Apple CEO Tim Cook described Malala Yousafzai as an impactful narrator eager to connect with others to transform the world.
“Apple TV+ for us is a platform for very impactful and creative storytellers that really want to connect with their audience and change the world in the process,” Cook said. “And there’s no better example of that than Malala.”
Although the announcement of Malala Yousafzai’s children’s series in new, her relationship with Apple is not.
The partnership between Apple TV+ and Yousafzai’s fledgling production company is not the first time the tech company and the Nobel-winning activist have partnered up. According to Romper, this recent partnership grows from an existing relationship Apple has had with Yousafzai’s Malala Fund since 2018. The tech behemoth reportedly supports Yousafzai’s education activism efforts in at least eight countries, supporting things like technology, curriculum, and policy research.
As with Apple TV+’s mission, Yousafzai shared that she is eager to tell stories that build consensus and bring people together. “I am an education activist, but I believe that education is not limited to school: It’s part of everyday life. We learn from our parents. We learn from our daily experiences,” Yousafzai told Fast Company.
“We learn from the TV shows and movies we watch,” Yousafzai continued. “Entertainment can help us see what society should look like and what we should aspire to do. And we should never underestimate the power of what everyday life can teach us.”
Well said! We are very excited about Yousafzai’s new venture with Apple and to learn that she has established her own production company. So often, stories are overlooked in the entertainment industry due to a lack of diversity in leadership. Women-led production companies will be the source of the brightest stories to be told. For instance, many women entertainers have started their own production outfits to great success.
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Kerry Washington, Reese Witherspoon, Salma Hayek, Queen Latifah, and Lisa Kudrow are just a few who have made the leap, and viewers have greatly benefited. Gone Girl, Big Little Lies, Ugly Betty, The Comeback, Confirmation, and Bessie are just a few projects from the above-listed creators. Keep it coming!
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