Nellie Andreeva

EXCLUSIVE: Recently renewed VH1 comedic drama series Single Ladies will be heading into its third season without creator/executive producer Stacy A. Littlejohn. “After two incredible seasons of Single Ladies, I have decided to entrust the show to the safe hands of VH1,” Littlejohn told Deadline. “Having fostered it from its inception, I’ve found great satisfaction in seeing these characters come to life on the screen, and am proud of what the show has become. But after two all-consuming seasons immersed in its production in the great city of Atlanta, I’ve decided it’s time to shift my focus to my life in Los Angeles and the creation of new projects.”

Single Ladies, executive produced by Queen Latifah, started off as an original movie to become VH1′s first hourlong scripted series. Its success opened the door to the series pickup of Bounce in July. “It’s been an honor to have been the creator and showrunner of VH1’s first-ever, hour-long scripted series,” Littlejohn said. “I have great respect for the talent on this show, all of whom have upheld my vision since its outset. I wish Single Ladies all the best and will continue to tune in Monday nights to see what my girls have been up to.”

Single Ladies, which revolves around three single women searching for love and happiness in Atlanta, overcame successfully a major casting change after its first season, with Denise Vasi replacing original co-star Stacey Dash. In its second season, the show averaged 3.2 million total viewers for premieres plus first encores, up 10% from season 1. Through its first 12 premiere episodes, Single Ladies averaged a 1.4 P18-49 Live+SD rating, up 17% from season 1. It was basic cable’s #1 ad-supported regularly scheduled scripted show among women 18-49 this past summer.

“We respect Stacy’s decision and thank her for her vision and incredibly hard work on the scripted hit series Single Ladies,” a VH1 spokesman said. “We wish her nothing but success in her future endeavors.” The spokesman added that “executive producers Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere, and Shelby Stone for Flavor Unit Entertainment, Maggie Malina, Tamra Davis and Alexander A. Motlagh for POPfilms, remain with the series as it prepares for a third season.”

Littlejohn is one of very few female African American showrunners. During her 15-plus-year career as a writer and producer, she has worked on The Wanda Sykes Show, All of Us, Barbershop, Cedric the Entertainer Presents, Life with Bonnie, and The Hughleys.

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