Academy Award-Winning
John Ridley is an American screenwriter, television director, novelist, and showrunner, best known for writing the screenplay for 12 Years a Slave, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. His work explores complex social issues through powerful storytelling.
Explore FilmographyNotable Works
Screenwriter, Producer
The harrowing true story of Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York who is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the pre-Civil War United States.
Creator, Director, Writer
A limited series set in 1970s London, following a couple whose political activism leads them to liberate a political prisoner and form a radical underground group.
Director, Writer, Producer
Regina King stars as Shirley Chisholm in this biopic about the first Black congresswoman and her historic 1972 presidential campaign.
Creator, Writer, Director
An anthology series that explores issues of race, class, and gender in America through the lens of the criminal justice system.
Behind The Scenes
Production
Directing
Ceremonies
International
Collaboration
Actors
Networking
Creative Process
Development
Conferences
Production
Premieres
Documentary
Supervision
Marketing
Collaboration
Career Journey
Wrote screenplay for "U Turn" directed by Oliver Stone, marking his entry into major Hollywood productions.
Won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for "12 Years a Slave," becoming a major Hollywood figure.
Created and executive produced the critically acclaimed anthology series "American Crime" for ABC.
Created and directed the limited series "Guerrilla" about 1970s political activists in London.
Directed "Shirley" starring Regina King as Shirley Chisholm, released on Netflix.
Recognition
Best Adapted Screenplay
2014
Best Adapted Screenplay
2014
Best Screenplay
2014
Outstanding Limited Series
2017
Best Adapted Screenplay
2014
Best Adapted Screenplay
2014
Representation
Ridley Pictures
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Creative Artists Agency (CAA)
Los Angeles, California
casting@ridleypictures.com
+1 (818) 276-6639