Greg Berlanti | |
|---|---|
 Berlanti in 2010 | |
| Born | Gregory Berlanti (1972-05-24)May 24, 1972 (age 53) Suffern, New York, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Northwestern University (BS) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
Gregory Berlanti (born May 24, 1972) is an American screenwriter, producer and director. He is known for his work on the television seriesDawson's Creek,Brothers & Sisters,Everwood,Political Animals,Riverdale,Chilling Adventures of Sabrina andYou, in addition to his contributions toDC Comics on film and television productions, includingThe CW'sArrowverse, as well asTitans andDoom Patrol. In 2000, Berlanti founded the production companyBerlanti Productions.
In the 2017–18 television season, Berlanti tiedJerry Bruckheimer's 2005–06 record in having 10 different live-action scripted television series airing on various networks and digital platforms[1] and took sole possession of the record, with 14 airing in the 2018–19 television season, having signed the most expensive producer deal at that time (June 2018) withWarner Bros.[2][3] In the 2019–20 television season, with one cancellation and two new series, Berlanti increased the record to 18.[4][5][clarification needed] Berlanti also directed the 2018 filmLove, Simon, a gay romantic comedy-drama which grossed $66 million worldwide.[6][7] He was an executive producer of thesuperherodrama television seriesSuperman & Lois (2021–24).[8]
Berlanti was named onTime'slist of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2020.[9]
In 1998, at the age of 26, Berlanti landed his first writing job onThe WB'sDawson's Creek, where he quickly rose through the producing ranks from staff writer to executive producer. In 2000, when creator and then-showrunnerKevin Williamson decided to step away from the show, 28-year-old Berlanti was promoted to showrunner.[10]
Berlanti has spoken in many interviews about the importance of introducing a gay character into a primetime television show and featuring the first same-sex kiss between two men on U.S. network television onDawson's Creek. Speaking withThe Hollywood Reporter, he stated, "In the beginning, there was resistance. When we did the Jack kiss onDawson's Creek, everyone was tentative. But I took over the show and that was an important thing to me. If we were going to bring the character out, it seemed silly to me that he couldn't kiss." When asked what he would have done if the network had said no to the kiss, Berlanti added, "I was prepared to quit. I really was."[11]
Berlanti subsequently created two drama series for Warner Bros:Everwood andJack & Bobby.[12] He and his business partner Mickey Liddell struck a deal with Warner Bros. in March 2003 via Berlanti/Liddell Productions.[13] By the age of 32, he had also already directed his first feature film,The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy,[14] which starredTimothy Olyphant,Zach Braff,Justin Theroux, andDean Cain.[15] After three years at Warner Bros., he moved toTouchstone Television in 2006 and set up Berlanti Television as his new production company.[16]
In 2006, Berlanti produced and wroteBrothers & Sisters forABC, which aired for five seasons and featured the first same-sex legal marriage on network television.[17] He replacedMarti Noxon, who departed the show because of creative differences.[18]
In 2007, Berlanti executive-producedDirty Sexy Money for ABC, which aired for two seasons and featured the first recurring transgender character on primetime television.[19]
In 2008, Berlanti created and produced the ABC legal dramaEli Stone[20] and, in 2012, theUSA miniseriesPolitical Animals.[21] At ABC, he produced and worked alongsideJon Harmon Feldman, formerDirty Sexy Money showrunner, to createNo Ordinary Family.[22] In 2011, he shifted from ABC Studios back to its original home atWarner Bros. Television.[23] For NBC, he producedThe Mysteries of Laura, an American adaptation of theSpanish television series, which premiered on September 17, 2014,[citation needed] andBlindspot, which premiered on September 21, 2015.[24]
Berlanti directed the 2010 filmLife as We Know It, starringKatherine Heigl andJosh Duhamel.[25] He produced the filmPan for Warner Bros. under hisBerlanti Productions banner; the film was released October 9, 2015.[26]
In January 2016,The CW ordered the Berlanti-produced television pilotRiverdale, based on the characters fromArchie Comics.[27] The pilot was picked up to series in May 2016.[28]Riverdale premiered on January 26, 2017, and was renewed for a second season on March 7, 2017.[29] In September 2017, it was reported that a live-action television series based on the comic bookChilling Adventures of Sabrina was in development for The CW by Warner Bros. Television and Berlanti Productions.[30] In December 2017, the project had moved toNetflix, and the first season ofChilling Adventures of Sabrina was released on October 26, 2018.[31][32] On December 18, 2018, Netflix renewed the series for a second season.[33][34]
In February 2015, it was announced that Berlanti andSera Gamble would develop a series forShowtime based onCaroline Kepnes's thriller novelYou.[35] Two years later, it was announced that the series was purchased byLifetime and put on fast-track development.[36]You premiered on September 9, 2018.[37] On July 26, 2018, ahead of the series premiere, Lifetime announced that the series had been renewed for a second season.[38][39] On December 3, 2018, it was confirmed that Lifetime had passed on the series and that Netflix picked up the series ahead of the release of the second season.[40] The second season was released on December 26, 2019.[41] On January 14, 2020, Netflix renewedYou for a third season,[42] which was released on October 15, 2021.[43][44][45] In October 2021, ahead of the third season premiere, the series was renewed for a fourth season.[46]
In April 2019,Amazon Studios officially won the film rights toRed, White & Royal Blue, to be produced by Berlanti Productions.[47] The project, based on the 2019novel of the same name byCasey McQuiston, had its world premiere at theBFI IMAX in London on July 22, 2023[48] and was released onAmazon Prime Video on August 11, 2023.[49]
In May 2021, The CW pilotAll American: Homecoming was picked up to series to be executive produced by Berlanti in association with creatorNkechi Okoro Carroll,Sarah Schechter,David Madden, andRobbie Rogers.All American: Homecoming premiered on The CW in February 2022.[50] The series was canceled after three seasons, ending in September 2024.
In February 2022,Max put in a series order forThe Girls on the Bus, previously worked on by Netflix and The CW, to be produced by Berlanti,Amy Chozick,Julie Plec,Rina Mimoun, and Sarah Schechter.[51] It was announced that filming had wrapped on the pilot and production began in October 2022.[52] The series was cancelled after one season.
In March 2022,Apple TV+ acquired the distribution rights toFly Me to the Moon, a film covering the 1960sSpace Race. In June 2022, the project's original director,Jason Bateman, left the project, and the role was later filled by Berlanti. Filming began later in the year in October, and it was released in July 2024.
More recently, his Berlanti/Schechter Films company had a first-look deal with Netflix.[53]
Berlanti co-wrote and co-produced theDC Comics filmGreen Lantern, starringRyan Reynolds as the titular character. As the film was neither critically nor financially successful, further planned releases were cancelled.[54]
In May 2016, Berlanti discussed his involvement, as producer and possibly as director, in aBooster Gold feature film that was in development.Zack Stentz was signed to the project as screenwriter.[55] It is still in movie limbo.[56]
In January 2012, it was announced that, along withAndrew Kreisberg andMarc Guggenheim, Berlanti would create, write, and produce a series calledArrow, based onGreen Arrow, forThe CW.[57] The series premiered on October 10, 2012, and was picked up to full series in the same month.[58] On July 30, 2013, it was announced at thesummer TCA tour that Berlanti, Kreisberg, and DC Comics CCOGeoff Johns would be introducingBarry Allen in the second season ofArrow, with the possibility of the character being spun off to his own series. ActorGrant Gustin was cast and made his debut in episode 8, "The Scientist." In November 2013, The CW officially ordered a pilot forThe Flash,[59] and in May 2014, the network picked the project up to series, with a premiere scheduled for autumn of that year.[60]
On February 26, 2015, it was announced that Berlanti, along with Guggenheim and Kreisberg, would write and executive produce a spin-off series featuring The Atom (Brandon Routh), Captain Cold (Wentworth Miller), Martin Stein (Victor Garber), andThe White Canary (Caity Lotz), for a potential 2016 premiere.[61] The series was ultimately titledLegends of Tomorrow, and it followed a ragtag team of heroes and villains as they traveled through time and space on a mission to stop the devious immortalVandal Savage. The series premiered on January 21, 2016, and was renewed for a second season on March 11, 2016.[62]
On September 4, 2014, it was reported that Berlanti would executive-produce a re-imagining of the origin ofSupergirl, to be written byThe New Normal andChuck alumAli Adler.The Flash co-creator Johns was also involved with development.[63] On September 19, 2014, it was reported thatCBS had made a series commitment toSupergirl. It was also announced that Berlanti would co-write the first episode.[64]
After its first season, the show moved from CBS to The CW, bringing all live-action Arrowverse shows together on one network.[65] The show made history in 2018 for featuring the first live-action transgender superhero whenNicole Maines was cast in a main role.[66]
Berlanti worked withMara Brock Akil and her husbandSalim Akil to developBlack Lightning which also aired on The CW.[67]
Berlanti also producedTitans, starringBrenton Thwaites, withAkiva Goldsman,Geoff Johns, andSarah Schechter;[68]Doom Patrol, starringMatt Bomer andBrendan Fraser, withJeremy Carver, Geoff Johns, and Sarah Schechter;[69] andStargirl starringBrec Bassinger, withGreg Beeman, Melissa Carter, Geoff Johns, Sarah Schechter, andGlen Winter.[70]
In 2017, Berlanti wrote and executive-producedFreedom Fighters: The Ray for The CW's streaming platform. The show was praised for its depiction of the first openly gay superhero to headline a series.[71]
In 2019, it was announced that Berlanti would be producing shows based onGreen Lantern andStrange Adventures forHBO Max.[72] It was also revealed that Berlanti would also serve as a writer on theGreen Lantern series.[73] Both shows were scrapped in 2023.
He was an executive producer of thesuperherodrama television seriesSuperman & Lois (2021–24).[8]
He was born inSuffern, New York. His parents are Barbara Moller Berlanti and Eugene "Gene" Berlanti. He attendedRye High School inRye, New York, graduating with the class of 1989. Greg has one sister, Dina and two nieces.[74] He has Italian and Irish ancestry.[75] He described his early life in an August 2004 interview withEntertainment Weekly: "We were Italians in a town ofWASPs" and his family was not "doing as well as 90% of the community."[citation needed] TheBerlanti Productions production logo, which follows each episode of shows he produces, features a family with their backs to the audience and the spoken quote, "Greg, move your head!" This is an homage to Berlanti's father, Gene, who would yell at Greg when he was blocking the television screen. Berlanti, aDelta Tau Delta alumnus, graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois in 1994.[76]
Berlanti has been in a relationship with ex–LA Galaxy soccer playerRobbie Rogers since mid-2013.[77][78] On December 31, 2016, Rogers and Berlanti announced they had become engaged.[79] Their wedding occurred on December 2, 2017.[80] They have two children born viasurrogacy, a son in 2016 and a daughter in 2019.[81][82][83]
Berlanti received the Governors Award at the76th Primetime Emmy Awards. The Governors Award is bestowed by the Television Academy's Board of Governors and honors an individual, company or organization that has made a profound, transformational and long-lasting contribution to the arts and/or of television.[84]
In 2022, Berlanti received the high honor of theNorman Lear Achievement Award in Television at the33rd Producers Guild of America Awards for his remarkable impact on the art and craft of television.[85]
In 2019, Berlanti received the Television Showman of the Year Award[86] at the 56th Annual ICG Publicists Awards, the Patron of the Artists Award[87] at theSAG-AFTRA Foundation 45th Annual Patron of the Artists Awards, the Kieser Award[88] at the 45th AnnualHumanitas Prize Awards and the Outstanding Film – Wide Release Award[89] for "Love, Simon" at the 30th AnnualGLAAD Media Awards.
Additional honors include:Los Angeles LGBT Center's 49th Anniversary Gala Vanguard Awards Honoree;[90] Friends of the Saban Community Clinic's 43rd Annual Gala Honoree;[91] Variety Hall of Fame Inductee;[92]Northwestern University School of Communication Graduation Convocation Address.[93]
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In 2018, Berlanti was selected for the Vanguard Award[94] by theLos Angeles LGBT Center, The Founders Award[95] by theInternational Emmy Awards, The Hero Award[96] by theTrevor Project, 500 Most Powerful People Working in the Global Media Business Today byVariety, in addition to winning aTeen Choice Award forThe Flash,Riverdale andLove, Simon.[97]
Additional wins include; 2017 forTeen Choice Award for Choice Drama TV Show forRiverdale[98] and 2016People's Choice Award wins forSupergirl andThe Flash.[99]
In 2021,The Flight Attendant earned nineEmmy Awards nominations, including "Outstanding Comedy Series."[100] The show also earned twoGolden Globe Awards nominations, including "Best Television Series, Musical or Comedy."[101]
Past honors include; a 2012Directors Guild of America Award nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Miniseries in recognition for Direction ofPolitical Animals Pilot,[102] a 2013Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Miniseries or Movie forPolitical Animals,[102] a 2014Saturn Award for Best Superhero Adaptation Television Series forThe Flash as well asThe Christopher Award forThe Flash, aLeo Award Best Dramatic Series nomination forArrow in 2013 as well as a Fan Favorite Awards and Fan Favorite New Show byTV Guide forArrow, the Honors Writer Award by The Caucus in 2010, the Alumni Merit Award by theNorthwestern Alumni Association in 2006, a 2005 aGracie Award Presented by theFoundation of American Women in Radio and Television, theReligion Communicators Council Wilbur Award for the "A Man of Faith" episode ofJack & Bobby in 2005, the Turner Prize at theEnvironmental Media Awards in 2003 forEverwood, aGLAAD Media Award in 2001 forThe Broken Hearts Club and a 2000SHINE Award for his writing work onDawson's Creek. Berlanti was also recognized byVariety in 2000 for their Watchable Helmers issue, as well as their 2018 Inclusion Impact Report and byThe Hollywood Reporter in their 'Power 100 List'[103] and 'Power Showrunners List' in 2018. In 2017, Berlanti was selected for theBrandon Tartikoff Legacy Award.[104] In 2021, Berlanti was awarded The Actors Fund[105]Encore Award for his support of entertainment industry professionals throughout the pandemic.
In 2020, Berlanti gifted $2 million[106] through his organization, the Berlanti Family Foundation, to his alma mater, theNorthwestern University School of Communication, to establish a new dramatic writing professorship. The new professorship was named the Barbara Berlanti Professorship in Writing for the Screen and Stage after Berlanti's late mother, who he described as a "lifelong champion of the arts."
The professorship helped to increase the teaching capacity and number of courses offered in the school's Department of Radio/Television/Film (RTVF). Berlanti also previously gave an endowment to Northwestern's playwriting program.
Berlanti's latest endowment to Northwestern marks the Berlanti Family Foundation's largest charitable contribution for a single organization to date. Berlanti said he "aims to help Northwestern continue its great legacy of fostering the next generation of humane, diverse, courageous and bold storytellers."[107]
Berlanti is a board member[108] ofFuck Cancer, a health organization working for early detection and prevention of cancer. Launched in 2009, Fuck Cancer aims to engagemillennials through social media to have a conversation about early detection and acute awareness of cancer.
In 2018, Berlanti and husband Robbie Rogers chaired Fuck Cancer's inaugural Barbara Berlanti Heroes Gala, named in honor of his late mother.Berlanti Productions was also a sponsor of the event.[109]
Kristin Chenoweth headlined the event, while co-founderYael Cohen Braun and board memberStephen Amell were the headline honorees at the event.[110] Berlanti said that his mother Barbara was the most charitable person he ever knew and that there was no better way to honor her than a night of fun and giving back to this incredible organization.
Director
| Writer
|
Producer
| Year | Title | Network | Creator | Writer | Executive Producer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998–2003 | Dawson's Creek | The WB | No | Yes | Yes | |
| 2000 | Young Americans | No | ||||
| 2002–2006 | Everwood | Yes | Yes | |||
| 2004–2005 | Jack & Bobby | |||||
| 2006–2008 | Brothers & Sisters | ABC | No | |||
| 2008–2009 | Eli Stone | Yes | ||||
| 2010–2011 | No Ordinary Family | |||||
| 2012 | Political Animals | USA Network | Also directed episode "Pilot" | |||
| 2012–2020 | Arrow | The CW | Developer | |||
| 2013–2014 | The Tomorrow People | |||||
| 2014–2023 | The Flash | |||||
| 2015 | 87th Academy Awards | ABC | Yes | No | No | TV special |
| 2015–2021 | Supergirl | CBS / The CW | Developer | Yes | Yes | |
| 2016–2022 | Legends of Tomorrow | The CW | ||||
| 2018–2025 | You | Lifetime/Netflix | ||||
| 2018–2023 | Titans | DC Universe /Max | ||||
| 2020 | Robot Chicken | Cartoon Network /Adult Swim | No | No | No | As himself, episode "Endgame" |
| 2021–2024 | Superman & Lois | The CW | Developer | Yes | Yes |
| Year | Title | Network |
|---|---|---|
| 2007–2009 | Dirty Sexy Money | ABC |
| 2013 | Golden Boy | CBS |
| 2014–2016 | The Mysteries of Laura | NBC |
| 2015–2016 | Vixen | CW Seed |
| 2015–2020 | Blindspot | NBC |
| 2017–2023 | Riverdale | The CW |
| 2017–2018 | Freedom Fighters: The Ray | CW Seed |
| 2018 | Deception | ABC |
| 2018–2021 | Black Lightning | The CW |
| 2018–2019 | Constantine: City of Demons | CW Seed |
| 2018–2020 | God Friended Me | CBS |
| 2018–2026 | All American | The CW |
| 2018–2020 | Chilling Adventures of Sabrina | Netflix |
| 2019 | The Red Line | CBS |
| 2019–2023 | Doom Patrol | DC Universe /Max |
| 2019–2021 | Prodigal Son | Fox |
| 2019–2022 | Batwoman | The CW |
| 2020 | Katy Keene | |
| Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons | CW Seed | |
| Helter Skelter: An American Myth | Epix | |
| Equal | Max | |
| 2020–2022 | Stargirl | DC Universe / The CW |
| 2020–2022 | The Flight Attendant | Max |
| 2021–2023 | Kung Fu | The CW |
| 2022–2024 | All American: Homecoming | |
| 2023 | Gotham Knights | |
| 2023–2025 | Found | NBC |
| 2024 | The Girls on the Bus | Max |
| Dead Boy Detectives | Netflix | |
| 2024–present | Brilliant Minds | NBC |
