Modern Mythmaker
Sarena Khan is a Los Angeles-based producer and writer whose work spans independent features and series development, focusing on cross-cultural, issue-driven stories. She earned a BFA in Theatre from the University of Southern California’s School of Dramatic Arts and later shifted from acting to producing and writing to help bring more diverse stories to screen. Her commitment to representation and rigorous research has shaped collaborations that bridge Hollywood and global subject matter, and she remains based in the Los Angeles area. She is based in Beverly Hills and works across the United States and international markets.
Khan began her on-screen career with roles in television movies and independent features, including the holiday film “Naughty or Nice” (2011) as Tiffany, the crime comedy “Jonny’s Sweet Revenge” (2017) as Tessa, and the techno-thriller “Chatter” (2015) as Laura Cole, before increasingly moving behind the camera. Those early credits grounded her understanding of production and performance and informed a transition into development and producing.
In 2017, Khan co-founded Athena Pictures with producer Andra Gordon to develop character-driven premium content. One of Athena’s flagship projects is “Shadowland,” a female-driven wildlife-crime thriller created by Jacqui Barcos. The series has been developed with Starlings Television and Propagate Content’s Ben Silverman, with director Darnell Martin and executive producer Peter Elkoff attached; Viaplay secured multi-territory pre-sale rights in the Nordics, Baltics, Poland and the Netherlands.
As part of developing “Shadowland,” Khan and Barcos embedded with subject-matter experts, traveling to Africa to research the poaching crisis and the complex criminal networks behind it—work that reflects Khan’s emphasis on authenticity and impact. In interviews, Khan has highlighted the importance of representation behind the camera and the value of community forged during her USC years, themes that recur across her projects.
Khan’s producing slate also includes the surrealist noir feature “The Blue Rose,” directed by George Baron and produced with Andra Gordon. The film premiered in 2023 and received a U.S. theatrical and digital release in 2024; credits list Khan as a producer, and the release was handled by Dark Sky Films. The film played genre festivals and toured select art-house cinemas before its wider release.
Since October 2022, Khan has served as Senior Vice President, Development and Production (Live Action) at Graphic India, helping shepherd live-action projects for a company known for building global franchises from South Asian storytelling. The role extends her cross-border focus and positions her at the intersection of Hollywood and emerging markets.
Across acting, development, and producing, Sarena Khan’s career reflects a through-line of rigorous research, international collaboration, and a belief that commercially compelling entertainment can illuminate urgent issues—from conservation to representation. With roots in performance and an expanding portfolio in development and production leadership, she continues to build projects that blend character, authenticity, and global relevance. She emphasizes relentlessness and collaboration—principles she has cited in public interviews and purpose.
Sources (for verification):
• Education, perspective, and “Shadowland” development background: USC Alumni Spotlight (interview).
• Current role and location details: Graphic India org chart profile.
• Early acting credits — “Naughty or Nice,” “Jonny’s Sweet Revenge,” “Chatter”: IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes listings.
• Athena Pictures partnership and “Shadowland” partners/pre-sales: Deadline and C21.
• “The Blue Rose” producer credit, distribution, and release info: Rotten Tomatoes and Apple TV listings (plus festival page).