Shawn Ryan | |
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 Ryan at the 2011Deauville American Film Festival | |
| Born | (1966-10-11)October 11, 1966 (age 59) Rockford, Illinois, U.S. |
| Education | |
| Occupations |
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| Spouse | Cathy Cahlin Ryan |
| Children | 2 |
Shawn Ryan (born October 11, 1966)[1] is an Americanscreenwriter andtelevision producer. He has created and/or produced a number of television series includingThe Shield (2002–2008),The Unit (2006–2009),Lie to Me (2009–11),Timeless (2016–2018),S.W.A.T. (2017–2025) andThe Night Agent (2023–present).
Ryan was born inRockford, Illinois.[1] His mother is schoolteacher and his father is aCPA.[2] He said he had "a very good family upbringing" and was interested in 1970s sitcoms as a child.[2]
After graduating fromMiddlebury College, Ryan got his start in television when he entered and won the Norman Lear Playwriting award sponsored by Columbia Pictures Television (which later became Sony). The award included a $25,000 cash gift and meetings with Columbia's top television producers. Later he was a staff writer on the showNash Bridges and served as a writer/producer onAngel before creating and acting ashead writer onThe Shield. He was partnered withDavid Mamet to serve as showrunner forThe Unit.[citation needed]
Ryan was set to executive produceConfessions of a Contractor,[3] a 2009CBStelevision pilot based on Richard Murphy's book of the same name. The story centres on a successful L.A. contractor who becomes involved with two of his female clients. The production was put on hold when casting contingencies could not be met.[4] He was theshowrunner for season 2 of Fox'sLie to Me. He was theshowrunner and executive producer of FX'sTerriers. He created the crime dramaThe Chicago Code.[5] In 2012, Ryan's pilotLast Resort got picked up by ABC for the fall. On November 21, 2012, it was announced that producers had been given enough notice of the network's plans not to pick the show up for a full season and that they were reworking the final episode to function as a series finale and give the fans closure.
In January 2013, CBS picked upBeverly Hills Cop, an hourlong crime procedural with comedic elements, with Ryan on board to pen the script and executive produce along with his MiddKid Productions partner Marney Hochman andEddie Murphy. The potential series was a follow-up to the Murphy franchise and centered on Foley's son, Aaron (played byBrandon T. Jackson), a cop working in Beverly Hills as he tries to escape his famous father's shadow.Barry Sonnenfeld directed the pilot. In May 2013, CBS announced it would not pick up the show.
He was nominated forOutstanding Writing for a Drama Series in 2002 (Emmy Award), and aHumanitas Prize in 1998.
Ryan is married to actressCathy Cahlin Ryan, who starred onThe Shield andThe Chicago Code. They have two children.[6][7][8]
| Year | Title | Network | Creator | Writer | Executive Producer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | My Two Dads | NBC | No | Yes | No | |
| 1997–1998 | Life with Louie | Fox | No | Yes | Yes | |
| 1997–2000 | Nash Bridges | CBS | No | Yes | No | Co-producer only |
| 2000–2001 | Angel | The WB | No | Yes | No | Producer only |
| 2002–2008 | The Shield | FX | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 2006–2009 | The Unit | CBS | No | Yes | Yes | |
| 2010 | Lie to Me | Fox | No | Yes | Yes | |
| 2010 | Terriers | FX | No | Yes | Yes | |
| 2011 | The Chicago Code | Fox | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 2012–2013 | Last Resort | ABC | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 2015–2016 | Mad Dogs | Amazon Prime Video | No | Yes | Yes | |
| 2016–2017 | The Get Down | Netflix | No | No | Yes | |
| 2016–2018 | Timeless | NBC | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 2017–2025 | S.W.A.T. | CBS | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 2023–present | The Night Agent | Netflix | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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