blackfilm.com correspondent Koku Tona had an opportunity to sit down with Anthony Sparks, the Executive Producer and Showrunner for hit shows ‘Queen Sugar’ and ‘Bel-Air’. Sparks covered everything from his background in theater, to transitioning to a behind-the-scenes role in Hollywood. Check out the interview and let us know what you think!
About Anthony Sparks
After accumulating over 20+ years of experience as both a writer, producer, and showrunner, Anthony Sparks is gearing up for season 2 of NAACP Award-nominated “Bel Air,” a reimagined storyline to Will Smith’s late 90’s “Fresh Prince” show. Here, Sparks is stepping in as an Executive Producer and Writer to be one of the creative leaders of its latest season. His past credits include HULU’s “Mike,” J.J. Abrams’s series “Undercovers,” and NBC’s “The Blacklist.” But what he is most proud of is his ability to land a triple threat in Black Dramedies for “Bel Air,” Warner Bros, “Queen Sugar,” (for which he served as Showrunner) and Freeform’s “Lincoln Heights.” In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, Anthony holds a BFA / MA in Theater Arts and a Ph.D. in American Studies + Ethnicity at USC, where he now teaches alongside his wife, Anita Dashiell-Sparks. His background as a playwright led him to NY to work for The Public Theater and New York Shakespeare Festival, as well as lead the cast of STOMP for over five years before producing and performing in his own show, Ghetto Punch. Anthony credits his experience in theater with informing his success in writing and character development. Anthony’s work ethic and grounded spirit have been recognized as a 2022 Humanitas Prize Nominee and the winner of the 2022 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Television Drama. But even after all his success, he still contributes his roots as the driving force for his career. He has made it his mission to give back and immerse himself in conversations about the importance of diverse representation, including highlighting black talent in Hollywood. #AnthonySparks #BelAir #QueenSugar
ANTHONY SPARKS | BIOGRAPHY
Anthony Sparks hails from Chicago’s South Side and has worked in television as a showrunner, producer, and writer over the last 20 seasons. A strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in television, theatre and film, Anthony is an Executive Producer and writer for the upcoming 2nd season of the smash hit drama, Bel-Air, on the Peacock streaming network. He is also an Executive Producer and writer on the highly anticipated HULU limited series Mike, about the controversial life and times of heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. In addition, Anthony recently completed six seasons as the longtime Showrunner, Executive Producer, and writer of the critically acclaimed OWN/Warner Bros. television drama, “Queen Sugar”, which was created by Ava DuVernay and produced by Oprah Winfrey. Sparks is also currently developing several series with several studios while also working with Blumhouse Television, where he signed a First Look Deal and sold, in a competitive situation, a scripted drama inspired by the Detroit Youth Choir, who rose to prominence on America’s Got Talent. Additional writer/producer credits include: The Blacklist (NBC); the J.J. Abrams series “Undercovers” (NBC); the groundbreaking “Lincoln Heights” (Freeform), and “The District” (CBS).
Anthony started his career in theatre as a playwright and actor. He performed at prestigious theatres such as The Public Theatre/New York Shakespeare Festival, the Old Globe Theatre, Williamstown Theater Festival and Crossroads Theatre. He also performed a lead role for five years in New York in the hit theatre show STOMP, before garnering the attention of television executives with his acclaimed play, Ghetto Punch.
Anthony just received a 2022 Humanitas Prize nomination in the drama teleplay category for writing the “May 27, 2020” episode of Queen Sugar, which was inspired by George Floyd. This year, Anthony also received the 2022 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Television Drama for his work as showrunner of Queen Sugar seasons 5 and 6. In late 2020, Anthony Sparks was honored with the Television Academy Honors Award for his work as showrunner on Queen Sugar’s 4th season. Anthony has also been nominated for 4 additional NAACP Image Awards for his writing over the last 12 years. He has received 3 nominations for Outstanding Television Drama Writing and he was also nominated for a 2017 NAACP Image Award for his first academic book, Running the Long Race in Gifted Education. He has also received two writing awards from the Norman Lear Center & Hollywood, Health, and Society.
Anthony holds a BFA degree in theatre, and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in American Studies & Ethnicity, all from USC, the University of Southern California. Anthony received the Jack Nicholson Award, LeVar Burton Award, and Doolittle Associates Award while an undergraduate at USC and the Anna Bing Arnold Fellowship while pursuing graduate work at USC.
In addition to his passion for writing and the arts, Dr. Sparks is also a cutting-edge scholar of race & ethnicity, media, performance studies, and African American politics and culture. When time allows, he teaches screenwriting and cultural studies at Occidental College, USC, and Cal State Fullerton University. He is married to actor-director and USC School of Dramatic Arts professor and Associate Dean Anita Dashiell-Sparks. They are working hard to raise their three young children.
