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Rasheed Newson (born May 27, 1979) is an American television drama writer, producer, and novelist.[1] He co-developed and is an executive producer of the drama series Bel-Air.[2] His debut novel, “My Government Means to Kill Me,” was a 2023 Lambda Literary finalist for Gay Fiction and was named one of “The 100 Notable Books of 2022” by The New York Times.[3][4] The book was rated as one of the three 'Best Book of the Year' in 2022 by The Philadelphia Inquirer. [5]
Rasheed Newson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | May 27, 1979 |
| Citizenship | American |
| Alma mater | Georgetown University |
| Occupations | Author Television drama writer Producer Novelist |
| Known for | Authoring My Government Means to Kill Me |
| Notable work | Bel-Air The Chi Narcos |
| Website | rasheednewson.com |
Education
editRasheed grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended Georgetown University and graduated in 2001.[6] At Georgetown University, Rasheed was a movie reviewer for the student newspaper, The Hoya.[6]
Personal life
editCareer
editIn 2008, Rasheed and T.J. Brady were hired as a television writing team to serve as staff writers on the drama series Lie to Me.[10]
In 2020, Rasheed and Brady wrote pilot script to reboot the movie Finding Forrester into a television drama series for NBC.[11]
In 2021, Rasheed co-developed Bel-Air along with Morgan Cooper and Malcolm Spellman.[12] Bel-Air, a retooling of the comedy series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, premiered on Peacock on February 13, 2022.[13][14] Rasheed and T.J. were executive producers and the showrunners for Season 1 of Bel-Air.[15][13]
Rasheed worked as co-writer and co-producer on Army Wives;[16] as co-writer and co-producer on The 100; as co-writer and co-supervising producers on Narcos;[17] as co-writer and co-supervising producer on Animal Kingdom;[18] as co-writer and co-executive producers Shooter; as co-writer and consulting producer on The Fix;[19] and as co-writer and co-executive producers on Bel-Air.[12]
Rasheed's debut novel, “My Government Means to Kill Me,”[20] was published on August 23, 2022 by Flatiron Books.[21] Set in New York during the height of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, the book centered on a Black, gay protagonist.[22] The novel garnered reviews from the Washington Post[23] and New York Times.[24] The Philadelphia Inquirer named “My Government Means to Kill Me” one of the best books of 2022.[25] The novel was also a finalist for the 2023 Lambda Literary Award for Gay Fiction.[26]
His second novel, "There's Only One Sin in Hollywood,”[27] was released on June 2, 2026 by Flatiron Books.[28] The novel follows a Hollywood backlot fixer determined to expose those responsible for the death of a closeted Black actor in the late 1950s.[29]
References
edit- ↑ Vognar, Chris (2022-08-23). "'Bel-Air' showrunner-turned-novelist Rasheed Newson wants to make you uncomfortable". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
- ↑ Hernandez, Claire Kay (2022-02-09). "Bel-Air Interview with Co-Showrunners / Executive Producers: T.J. Brady and Rasheed Newson". The Knockturnal. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
- ↑ Lewis, LeKesha (2023-03-20). "Announcing the 35th Annual Lammy Awards Finalists". Lambda Literary. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
- ↑ Staff, The New York Times Books (2022-11-22). "100 Notable Books of 2022". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
- ↑ Rapa, Patrick (2022-12-01). "The best books of 2022". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
- 1 2 "INSIDE VOICES with Rasheed Newson". Issuu. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
- ↑ "Rasheed Newson talks "unapologetically Black" and "unmistakably Gay" debut novel". Seattle Gay News. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
- ↑ Mackey, Joshua S. "Rasheed Newson Talks Activism and Sex Positivity in His New Book My Government Means to Kill Me". INTO. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
- ↑ Staff, Queer Forty (2022-12-02). "Rasheed Newson joins the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice Board of Directors". Queer Forty. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
- ↑ Routines, Famous Writing (2023-03-01). "Interview with Rasheed Newson: "You just have to get on with it."". Famous Writing Routines. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
- ↑ Otterson, Joe (2020-11-23). "'Finding Forrester' TV Series in Development at NBC". Variety. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
- 1 2 Andreeva, Nellie (2022-10-13). "'Bel-Air' Changes Showrunners As Carla Banks Waddles Replaces TJ Brady & Rasheed Newson For Season 2 Of Peacock Reboot". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
- 1 2 "Bel-Air season 2: Release date speculation, cast and latest news". Radio Times. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
- ↑ Otterson, Joe (2021-08-03). "'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Drama Reboot at Peacock Changes Showrunners". Variety. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
- ↑ Radish, Christina (2022-03-31). "'Bel-Air' Showrunners T.J. Brady & Rasheed Newson on Taking Big Swings With the Series and Season 2 Plans". Collider. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
- ↑ Vinney, Cynthia (2022-02-14). "Bel-Air Showrunners T.J. Brady And Rasheed Newson On Adapting The Sitcom & Will Smith - Exclusive Interview". Looper. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
- ↑ "VoiceRaise 2023: Igniting our Sacred Fire". LA Voice. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
- ↑ Newell, C. H. (2017-06-28). "Animal Kingdom – Season 2, Episode 5: "Forgive Us Our Trespasses"". Father Son Holy Gore. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
- ↑ Ermelino |, Louisa. "Rasheed Newson Tells a New York Story". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
- ↑ Newson, Rasheed (2022-08-23). My Government Means to Kill Me. Flatiron Books. ISBN 978-1-250-83352-5.
- ↑ MY GOVERNMENT MEANS TO KILL ME | Kirkus Reviews.
- ↑ Ortiz, Natalie (2023-12-01). "Hidden Gems: 'My Government Means to Kill Me' charts political and sexual awakening amidst the AIDS crisis". The Student Life. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
- ↑ "Rasheed Newson's debut is entertainment with a side of education". The Washington Post.
- ↑ Nieh, Daniel (20 August 2022). "Coming of Age in 1980s New York". The New York Times.
- ↑ Rapa, Patrick (2022-12-01). "The best books of 2022". www.inquirer.com. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
- ↑ "Announcing the 35th Annual Lammy Awards Finalists". Lambda Literary. Lambda Literary. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
- ↑ Newson, Rasheed (2026-06-02). There's Only One Sin in Hollywood. Flatiron Books. ISBN 978-1250406149.
- ↑ Maran, Meredith (2026-06-01). "A forgotten Black queer Hollywood is the star of this new novel". Los Angeles Times.
- ↑ Schaub, Michael (2026-06-11). "12 novels and nonfiction books for the movie and TV fan in your life". The Orange County Register. Retrieved 2026-06-17.