Check Out Leilani Downer’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leilani Downer.

Leilani, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
About Me

I am a writer first. My career has grown to include producing and directing, and I love both, but writing will always be my first love. There is something about creating a character, giving them a voice, and allowing their story to reveal something true about us that continues to draw me back to the page.

As a Black woman, I bring a perspective that has often been underrepresented, but I write with a deep sensitivity to the experiences and humanity we all share. I’m interested in stories that cross boundaries; stories that can make us laugh, break our hearts, challenge what we believe, or simply make us see someone else a little differently.

Whether comedy or drama, I want to write about characters who are wrestling with the things that matter most to them, because those are usually the things that matter most to all of us.

I began my career in comedy television in the 1990s, when shows like The Cosby Show and Married… with Children were must-see television. I had the extraordinary opportunity to work on both for a minute as a writer’s assistant, though not at the same time. Assisting gave me a front-row seat to the writing process and got me into the writers’ rewrite room, but it didn’t yet put my name on the script.

That happened a couple of years later when I landed a writing job on The Cosby Show’s spin-off, A Different World, originally starring Lisa Bonet. It was there that I met a seasoned writer named Cheryl Gard, who became my mentor, dear friend, and one of my greatest encouragers. Her generosity was beyond measure. One of the great joys of my life was eventually getting the opportunity to work alongside her as a writing colleague on several shows. She taught me, believed in me, and, in many ways, helped me believe that I belonged in the room.

My first credited script was for A Different World. For those who may not know the show, it is currently being rebooted for Netflix, which is a wonderful reminder of just how far some stories can travel and remain.

I remember my first spec script. I remember the first script I sold. And I remember the excitement of my first show taping. It was a magical time, and it became the beginning of a full-fledged career as a television writer.

Since then, there have been ups and downs, changing times, strikes and the periods before and after when I thought I might never work again. But the jobs always seemed to come because I never gave up. Through it all, I’ve continued to write. I’ve written for network television, cable, and streaming platforms. I’ve evolved when necessary, but I’ve always tried to keep writing at the center of my work.

And because I was fortunate enough to learn from people who were willing to share their knowledge with me, to this day I believe in paying it forward. I mentor writers and share my craft whenever I can because giving back matters. I also teach comedy writing as an adjunct professor at Asbury University in Kentucky, working with grad students who are the next generation of storytellers.

Currently, my writing has expanded into feature films. I’m working on one right now, and I’m in development on a new show that will take me back to my roots in comedy television.

If I could leave you with one thought through all of this, it would be this: The forms may change. The industry may change. The stories certainly change. But the writing remains. And so does my first love.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I was thinking about my journey the other day. When I got my first writing job, I had to walk away from a secure day job without knowing whether that one script would become a career — or be my one and only. My one hit wonder.

Thankfully, the one script led to many more in many different genres and mediums. And my career in entertainment continued to grow, eventually expanding beyond writing into producing and directing. I even found a way to bring my talents to a nonprofit organization that serves individuals with disabilities.

Of course, there were hiccups along the way. There was a period when comedy television essentially disappeared, and jobs for comedy writers became scarce. But when that happens, you learn to pivot. You learn to ask yourself, “What else can I do?”

My answer was simple: I’m a writer, and writers write.

So I found other ways to keep writing. I consulted. I ghostwrote. I script-doctored. I taught. I gave back. I kept creating, kept learning, and kept making an impact. I took on projects that allowed me to develop my craft while also adding new skills and experiences to my résumé.

That mindset has carried me through every uncertain period in my career. I’ve learned that the path may change, the industry may change, and the opportunities may change, but I don’t have to give in or give up because one particular door closes.
I just have to find another way to keep writing, keeping walking forward toward the opportunities that come my way. Thankfully they do. I am a professional writer, and that will always be.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a television and film writer, and a storyteller at heart. A couple of years ago, I expanded into theater and wrote my first play, “Don’t Panic!” It’s a romantic comedy about two people who take a fall on the dance floor and somehow wind up landing in a lifetime love affair. We put it up in San Diego, California. It was a dream come true. I had always wanted to write a play.

I’m probably best known for my work on some pretty iconic television shows of the 1990s. One of my favorite claims to fame is writing the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air episode in which Will Smith’s character almost gets married… it’s the episode with the unforgettable “Mama no!” moment.

I’m proud of all of my work, but one of the things that makes me happiest is when someone recognizes a show I worked on and gets genuinely excited about it. There’s something wonderful about knowing that a story or a show you helped create became part of someone else’s memories.

What sets me apart is the history and the skills I bring to the room. I believe we’re living in a Golden Age of television, with more kinds of stories being told in more ways than ever before, making it hard to keep up. But I was fortunate enough to work during a period when many of the shows that helped establish the foundation for today’s television landscape were being created.

I’ve seen the industry change from inside the writers’ room, from network television to cable to streaming, and I’ve learned how to evolve with it without losing sight of what makes a good story. Now, as AI begins to reshape the industry, I’m curious about what comes next. Not afraid, but hopeful. I hope that years from now I’ll be able to answer this question in much the same way.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
What might surprise people, and has even surprised me, is how much I like competition reality shows. The Challenge, Survivor, and Project Runway are favorites.

I used to think reality TV was the death knell for scripted television. Then I realized: competition reality is storytelling. Every episode has a protagonist, an antagonist, betrayals, obstacles, big set pieces, blindsides, twists, and moments of grace. It has all the ingredients I love about a good story. Plus, you can learn a lot about the human character from it.

The difference is that, when I watch it, I don’t have to write the story or think about how it looks on the page. I can just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Who gets voted off tonight? That’s all I need to know.

Contact Info:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leilanidowner/
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0235925/?ref_=fn_t_1

Image Credits
Rebeca Dourado