Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1964, John Ridley is a versatile screenwriter and author who stands out as one of the most original voices in American cinema and television. Ridley, who started his career as a screenwriter in the backrooms of television, quickly managed to attract attention with his unique narrative approach and sensitive perspective on social issues. In the early stages of his career, he worked as a screenwriter on popular sitcoms of the time, such as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Martin. These experiences taught him both the language of television and the subtleties of reaching large audiences. Ridley, who later contributed to productions such as The John Larroquette Show, gained an identity as a writer who comfortably navigated different genres and formats over time. In the 2000s, his signature was also seen in animation projects such as Static Shock and Justice League; These productions proved that he is not limited to realistic dramas, but can also skillfully approach the superhero and fantasy genres. During the same period, he also contributed to crime and action-oriented series such as Third Watch. The brightest period of Ridley's career came with 2013's 12 Years a Slave. The script written by Ridley in this striking historical drama directed by Steve McQueen made the film a great success in the international arena, and Ridley won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for this script. This powerful text, which conveys slavery in all its nakedness, revealed that Ridley is not only a television writer, but also the owner of a pen that can carry the heaviest and most important themes of cinema. Ridley, who returned to television in 2015 with the series American Crime, which he created, garnered critical acclaim again with this anthology production that deals with issues of race, class and identity in American society. Throughout his career spanning decades, Ridley has remained a responsible and courageous narrator who has managed to renew himself in every medium.