Malala goes Hollywood: Pakistani activist gears up to change the world as producer

The 25-year-old, like most women her age, loves to binge-watch popular Netflix shows and tell dad jokes

After partnering with Apple Inc to produce several dramas, the world's youngest Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Malala Yousafzai, is gearing up to produce three films for Hollywood, as per Variety. Malala, who’s always had a serious outlook towards life and consequently constructed an image that leads people to always take her seriously, is also a storyteller aside from being an author and activist. And she is ready to offer the world her fun side in an attempt to make it a more inclusive place.

Very few might imagine, but Malala’s latest interaction with Variety makes it clear that she, like most women her age, loves to binge-watch popular Netflix shows and tell dad jokes. And much like everyone else, she also loves to see the representation of people like herself onscreen. In an exclusive for the outlet’s Power of Women celebration, Malala expressed her love for Stranger Things, and her affinity for Dustin Henderson. She also discussed her growing interest in entertainment and how she wishes to use it to change the world’s perception of people of colour.

On making it happen

“I am Vecna,” she declares bending her fingers backwards while speaking to Variety. Hailing from the Swat Valley of Pakistan, the TV enthusiast has devoured Mind Your Language, Ugly Betty, among others, to improve her English and familiarize herself with Western culture. “I am a producer,” she adds proudly. “I want my name to be there in TV shows, documentaries and movies.”

At 25, Malala is at a new juncture in her life as she lives in London, away from her parents in Birmingham, England. The Oxford University graduate heads her own film and TV production company named Extracurricular. “When I fill out forms that ask for a profession, I always struggle, because I’m trying to figure out what my role is,” she continues. “I feel like I’m an activist and a storyteller. I’ve been doing activism for more than a decade now, and I’ve realized that we shouldn’t limit activism to the work of NGOs only: There’s also the element of changing people’s minds and perspectives — and that requires a bit more work.”

Extracurricular’s first slate of projects is now in the works at Apple TV. “You’re often told in Hollywood, implicitly or explicitly, that the characters are too young, too brown or too Muslim, or that if one show about a person of colour is made, then that’s it — you don’t need to make another one. That needs to change,” Malala asserts. “I’m a woman, a Muslim, a Pashtun, a Pakistani and a person of colour. And I watched Succession, Ted Lasso and Severance, where the leads are white people — and especially a lot of white men. If we can watch those shows, then I think audiences should be able to watch shows that are made by people of colour, and produced and directed by people of colour, with people of colour in the lead. That is possible, and I’m going to make it happen.”

On marriage and moves

Malala left Birmingham, her home of 10 years, earlier this year to make the move to London. She needed some space from her parents in her first year of marriage, as per the outlet. Malala also touched upon the skepticism she expressed about getting married before eventually tying the knot. She had told British Vogue, “I still don’t understand why people have to get married. If you want to have a person in your life, why do you have to sign marriage papers? Why can’t it just be a partnership?” Her reservations had landed her in controversies back home.

Malala shares now, “In the society and community that I come from in Pakistan, marriage meant more compromises for women. Many women were expected to give up their jobs, to give up their education. Even though I knew things may not be as challenging for me because of my education and what I’ve built for myself, that fear was still inside me.”

Angeline Jolie, who has served as a mentor to Malala for the past 10 years, assures, “I’m not sure there is anyone who knows the struggle and the value of an informed and educated life more than Malala Yousafzai. She fought for hers, nearly losing her life. She fights for others and now will be supporting film projects that contribute and share important narratives.”

Surely, Malala hasn’t had to sacrifice her lifestyle for Asser, who’s a cricket industry professional. The two met through friends at Oxford in 2018. Malala did, however, surprise herself by getting married to him. “For me, it was finding the right person who would support me in the work that I do,” she says. “And his presence makes me feel over the moon. I feel so much joy. And that has been my life since I met him.”

Going the ‘Extra’ mile

Having produced features like the Michael Keaton-led Worth and the children’s series Ada Twist, Scientist, Malala’s company won the 2020 documentary feature Oscar for its film American Factory. Extracurriculars also boasts a deal with Netflix

“The Obamas were definitely examples of people who came from outside the industry traditionally but were also great storytellers and had this kind of international reach,” says Darnell Strom, Malala’s agent since she was 16. “She was 22 when she started the company and there hadn’t really been that example from a Gen-Z perspective. I think what Apple saw was that Malala is one of the few people who is cross-generational in her reach. She’s a young example of someone who has done something to try to help change the world, which is very important to the younger generation,” added Strom.

Erika Kennair was busy working on The Flight Attendant when she received a call from UTA about Extracurricular. “They said Malala was starting a company and that she’s looking for somebody to run it,” Kennair told the outlet. “At first, I was like, ‘I don’t think I’m your gal. I’m doing a show about an alcoholic flight attendant and a stalker.’ The agency simply said, ‘Talk to her. You’re going to be surprised,’” Erika recalled.

Malala spoke at length about some of her favourite shows with Erika, which included Sex Education, Rick and Morty, leaving her stunned. She then told her that she wanted to make those kinds of programmes, with diversity at the heart of them. Given her own reputation, Malala’s brand comes with its fair share of assumptions, with many perceiving it to focus on documentaries and G-rated serious programmes. Upon launching, Extracurricular received submissions of “the world’s most depressing books,” said Erika.

But the company’s deal with Apple, which was born out of CEO Tim Cook’s long-time friendship with Malala, demands a certain type of project that’s a “fun, surprising story that brings people together,” added Erika. There’s also room for “juicy stories” and even some darkness. “Malala,” Erika continued, “has probably the darkest sense of humour I’ve ever encountered.”

Malala elaborated, “What I hope to bring to the table are the voices of women of colour and debut writers and Muslim directors and writers. I hope we can have a wide range of perspectives and that we challenge some of the stereotypes we hold in our societies. And I also hope that the content is entertaining and that people fall in love with the characters and have the best time together.”