‘Black Lightning,’ ‘Love Is...’ exec producer Salim Akil under investigation over domestic violence charge
Originally posted Sunday, December 2, 2018 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
Salim Akil, the show runner for the CW's Atlanta-based show "Black Lightning," is being investigated by the studio Warner Bros. TV. following a lawsuit by a woman who claimed to be his former lover.
Akil, is also an executive producer for an OWN romantic drama "Love Is_," another show shot in Atlanta and based loosely on his relationship with his wife Mara Brock Ali, who is the show runner for "Love Is_."
Actress and writer Amber Dixon Brenner, according to a lawsuit procured by the Hollywood Reporter, said she had a 10-year affair with Akil that ended last year. During that time, she claimed he forced her to have oral sex on many occasions.
There have been no reports of Akil behaving badly on set but Warner Bros. is doing this out of an abundance of caution.
Brenner also accused him of stealing ideas from her screenplay “Luv & Perversity in the East Village” for “Love Is_” and is in part based on her relationship with him.
Akil has not commented on the lawsuit or investigation.
“Black Lightning” is currently in its second season. “Love Is_” aired its first season this year on OWN and has been renewed for a second.
About the Author
Rodney Ho writes about entertainment for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution including TV, radio, film, comedy and all things in between. A native New Yorker, he has covered education at The Virginian-Pilot, small business for The Wall Street Journal and a host of beats at the AJC over 20-plus years. He loves tennis, pop culture & seeing live events.
