Exclusive: The Goldbergs star Wendi McLendon-Covey has signed a first-look deal with Sony Pictures Television, the studio behind the hit ABC comedy series. Under the pact, McLendon-Covey will develop for the studio across all platforms.
The pact was made in conjunction with McLendon-Covey recently signing a new contract to continue to portray matriarch Beverly Goldberg on The Goldbergs, which paved the way for the show to receive a Season 10 renewal. McLendon-Covey, who also serves as an executive producer on The Goldbergs, has been nominated for two Critics Choice Awards for her role.
“There is no one funnier, more unique and talented than Wendi,” said Dawn Steinberg, EVP Worldwide Talent & Casting and Glenn Adilman, EVP Comedy Development for Sony Pictures Television. “She is the longstanding pride of our Sony family and we are thrilled to be deepening our relationship both behind and in front of the camera.”
A standout from the...
The pact was made in conjunction with McLendon-Covey recently signing a new contract to continue to portray matriarch Beverly Goldberg on The Goldbergs, which paved the way for the show to receive a Season 10 renewal. McLendon-Covey, who also serves as an executive producer on The Goldbergs, has been nominated for two Critics Choice Awards for her role.
“There is no one funnier, more unique and talented than Wendi,” said Dawn Steinberg, EVP Worldwide Talent & Casting and Glenn Adilman, EVP Comedy Development for Sony Pictures Television. “She is the longstanding pride of our Sony family and we are thrilled to be deepening our relationship both behind and in front of the camera.”
A standout from the...
- 4/28/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Michael Chiklis will be part of the first case of Fox‘s upcoming crime anthology drama. The Emmy award winner will star in the series premiere of Accused, from executive producers Howard Gordon, Alex Gansa, and David Shore, Fox has announced. Emmy Award winner Michael Cuesta will direct the episode and reunite with Homeland‘s Gordon and Gansa. Chiklis will play Dr. Scott Corbett, a successful brain surgeon with a seemingly perfect family. He faces the limits of unconditional love when he discovers his teenage son may be planning a violent attack at school. “Michael Chiklis and Michael Cuesta, teamed with Howard Gordon, Alex Gansa and David Shore, make a powerful combination for Accused,” Michael Thorn, President of Entertainment, Fox Entertainment, said in a statement. “They each are synonymous with high-stakes television, engaging drama and compelling performances, striking the perfect tone required for a series of this caliber.” Added Dawn Steinberg,...
- 2/22/2022
- TV Insider
Exclusive: In his return to Fox, Emmy winner Michael Chiklis is set to headline the premiere episode of the network’s straight-to-series crime anthology drama, Accused, executive-produced by Howard Gordon, Alex Gansa and David Shore. Fellow Emmy winner Michael Cuesta (Homeland) has been tapped to direct the premiere, reuniting with Homeland executive producers Gordon and Gansa.
Accused, co-produced by Fox Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television, is based on the BBC’s BAFTA-winning crime anthology. It opens in a courtroom on the accused, with viewers knowing nothing about their crime or how they ended up on trial. Told from the defendant’s point of view through flashbacks, Accused depicts how an ordinary person gets caught up in an extraordinary situation, ultimately revealing how one wrong turn leads to another, until it’s too late to turn back.
Chiklis will play Dr. Scott Corbett, a successful brain surgeon with a seemingly perfect family.
Accused, co-produced by Fox Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television, is based on the BBC’s BAFTA-winning crime anthology. It opens in a courtroom on the accused, with viewers knowing nothing about their crime or how they ended up on trial. Told from the defendant’s point of view through flashbacks, Accused depicts how an ordinary person gets caught up in an extraordinary situation, ultimately revealing how one wrong turn leads to another, until it’s too late to turn back.
Chiklis will play Dr. Scott Corbett, a successful brain surgeon with a seemingly perfect family.
- 2/22/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
It was a little stressful and down to the wire as all of Sony Pictures TV’s new series pickups and some of its renewals did not close until the weekend before the upfronts, but the indie studio ultimately saw four of its six pilots picked up, drama For Life and comedy United We Fall at ABC and drama Lincoln and comedy Indebted at NBC. Excluding straight-to-series orders, that is the studio’s strongest conversion ratio in almost a decade.
Additionally, Sony TV saw all of its broadcast scripted series get renewed; its broadcast tally, including scripted and unscripted series, is 11 series on ABC, NBC and CBS.
That is with the studio, which last year did not get a new broadcast series but landed a series order for its NBC pilot La’s Finest at Spectrum, scaling back on broadcast development, developing about 50% fewer scripts with a targeted approach.
Sony Pictures...
Additionally, Sony TV saw all of its broadcast scripted series get renewed; its broadcast tally, including scripted and unscripted series, is 11 series on ABC, NBC and CBS.
That is with the studio, which last year did not get a new broadcast series but landed a series order for its NBC pilot La’s Finest at Spectrum, scaling back on broadcast development, developing about 50% fewer scripts with a targeted approach.
Sony Pictures...
- 5/13/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Broadcast networks haven’t dominated the Emmys for a good long while. And as pilot-season casting gets started, some contend that a lack of critical recognition is driving actors away from the Big Four.
“It’s just really a frustrating thing,” Dawn Steinberg, Sony Pictures Television’s executive vice president of worldwide talent and casting, told Variety. “Actors want to work and they want to go where the good writing is, [but you could] have a network show with good writing and their agent says to them, ‘Oh, but then you’ll never be recognized, and that’ll never further your career.’”
A number of producers and industry insiders echo the sentiment that sought-after talent is less willing to commit to network shows.
“You definitely hear about people’s frustration with actors not wanting to do broadcast,” said “Superstore” creator Justin Spitzer. Having landed his first choices, he “couldn’t be happier” with...
“It’s just really a frustrating thing,” Dawn Steinberg, Sony Pictures Television’s executive vice president of worldwide talent and casting, told Variety. “Actors want to work and they want to go where the good writing is, [but you could] have a network show with good writing and their agent says to them, ‘Oh, but then you’ll never be recognized, and that’ll never further your career.’”
A number of producers and industry insiders echo the sentiment that sought-after talent is less willing to commit to network shows.
“You definitely hear about people’s frustration with actors not wanting to do broadcast,” said “Superstore” creator Justin Spitzer. Having landed his first choices, he “couldn’t be happier” with...
- 2/28/2019
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
The state of California barred employers this year from asking prospective workers how much money they made in previous jobs. The new law was designed to redress wage disparity; women and minorities are often paid less than white men at early career stages, and that pay gap tends to stick with workers through the years.
The law has had a dramatic impact in television, where it has killed the long-enshrined quote system by which studios would determine what to offer an actor for a project based on his or her pay history. While studio executives say that the change has helped promote pay equality, it’s one of several factors complicating the casting process in the current television economy, where budgets continue to climb and more money is being concentrated at the top of the call sheet, leaving others to do with less — and producers to get creative.
The first...
The law has had a dramatic impact in television, where it has killed the long-enshrined quote system by which studios would determine what to offer an actor for a project based on his or her pay history. While studio executives say that the change has helped promote pay equality, it’s one of several factors complicating the casting process in the current television economy, where budgets continue to climb and more money is being concentrated at the top of the call sheet, leaving others to do with less — and producers to get creative.
The first...
- 10/30/2018
- by Daniel Holloway
- Variety Film + TV
A string of women have left Sony over the past year — Christine Birch, Paula Askanas, Amy Carney, Andrea Wong and Jean Guerin come to mind — and now this: an email from two male executives inviting women to participate in a Women’s Creative Leadership Initiative “to better equip our women leaders with the tools necessary to amplify their voices.” It was signed by the two male execs: Tom Rothman and Mike Hopkins, the top managers at Sony representing both film and TV. Read the email below.
Bravo if women want to mentor other women and support is given for that from the top management, but the email as written is tone deaf and condescending to women. It suggests that the reason women aren’t being heard is they don’t have the know-how — or “tools” — to communicate. This is not about women being unable to express themselves. This suggests a broader cultural problem,...
Bravo if women want to mentor other women and support is given for that from the top management, but the email as written is tone deaf and condescending to women. It suggests that the reason women aren’t being heard is they don’t have the know-how — or “tools” — to communicate. This is not about women being unable to express themselves. This suggests a broader cultural problem,...
- 4/27/2018
- by Anita Busch and Dawn C. Chmielewski
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony Pictures Television has promoted Dawn Steinberg to executive vice president, worldwide talent and casting. The move was announced Thursday in a memo to staff from Spt chairman Mike Hopkins.
In her new role, Steinberg will continue to oversee talent and casting on all U.S. productions. She will add oversight of international productions.
Steinberg joined Spt in 2003 as senior VP, talent and casting. She was previously a casting consultant for NBC Studios. She served as senior VP of talent and casting for Artists Television Group prior to joining NBC, and began her career casting Off-Broadway theater in New York.
Read the full memo from Hopkins below:
Good morning,
I am pleased to announce that Dawn Steinberg has been promoted to Evp, Worldwide Talent & Casting, adding international productions to her current responsibilities. In addition to overseeing talent and casting on our U.S. productions, Dawn will now also lend her...
In her new role, Steinberg will continue to oversee talent and casting on all U.S. productions. She will add oversight of international productions.
Steinberg joined Spt in 2003 as senior VP, talent and casting. She was previously a casting consultant for NBC Studios. She served as senior VP of talent and casting for Artists Television Group prior to joining NBC, and began her career casting Off-Broadway theater in New York.
Read the full memo from Hopkins below:
Good morning,
I am pleased to announce that Dawn Steinberg has been promoted to Evp, Worldwide Talent & Casting, adding international productions to her current responsibilities. In addition to overseeing talent and casting on our U.S. productions, Dawn will now also lend her...
- 4/26/2018
- by Daniel Holloway
- Variety Film + TV
Dawn Steinberg, a 15-year Sony Pictures Television veteran and longtime head of domestic casting, has been promoted to Evp, Worldwide Talent & Casting, adding international productions to her current responsibilities. The announcement was made this morning by Spt chairman Mike Hopkins.
Steinberg most recently served as Evp U.S. talent and casting, Spt, working closely with casting directors/producers and overseeing casting of all current Spt series, movies and miniseries, as well as Spt’s projects in development for network, cable and digital. In addition to shepherding talent and casting on Spt’s U.S. productions, Steinberg will now also oversee casting for series and limited series produced by all of Spt’s international production companies, including Left Bank Pictures, Playmaker Media, Teleset and Blueprint Pictures. She will continue to report to Jeff Frost, Chris Parnell and Jason Clodfelter on U.S. productions, and will also report to Wayne Garvie for international.
Steinberg most recently served as Evp U.S. talent and casting, Spt, working closely with casting directors/producers and overseeing casting of all current Spt series, movies and miniseries, as well as Spt’s projects in development for network, cable and digital. In addition to shepherding talent and casting on Spt’s U.S. productions, Steinberg will now also oversee casting for series and limited series produced by all of Spt’s international production companies, including Left Bank Pictures, Playmaker Media, Teleset and Blueprint Pictures. She will continue to report to Jeff Frost, Chris Parnell and Jason Clodfelter on U.S. productions, and will also report to Wayne Garvie for international.
- 4/26/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony Pictures Television chairman Mike Hopkins is giving some long-overdue recognition to the company's head of casting.
Hopkins announced Thursday in a company-wide memo that Dawn Steinberg, currently exec vp casting, has been promoted to add worldwide talent to her purview. In her new role as exec vp worldwide talent and casting, Steinberg will now oversee international productions and lend her expertise to casting for series and limited series produced by Sony TV's international production companies. That includes Left Bank Pictures (behind the studio's <em>The Crown</em>), Playmaker Media, Teleset and Blueprint Pictures.
Steinberg will continue to report ...
Hopkins announced Thursday in a company-wide memo that Dawn Steinberg, currently exec vp casting, has been promoted to add worldwide talent to her purview. In her new role as exec vp worldwide talent and casting, Steinberg will now oversee international productions and lend her expertise to casting for series and limited series produced by Sony TV's international production companies. That includes Left Bank Pictures (behind the studio's <em>The Crown</em>), Playmaker Media, Teleset and Blueprint Pictures.
Steinberg will continue to report ...
- 4/26/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Having just wrapped its third season, “The Goldbergs” seems to only get funnier with time—in large part because of its award-worthy performers. What makes comedy so difficult, according to Head of Talent and Casting for Sony Television Dawn Steinberg, is that you need to “stay true to the most outrageous moments and make them believable.” And that’s exactly what star Wendi McLendon-Covey does so brilliantly as ’80s mom Beverly Goldberg. Opposite her is Jeff Garlin, whose background in improv adds wonders to the show’s dynamic ensemble. “[He’s] one of the most fun people to watch. He’s very paternal towards all the other people on the show and he really brings that out in each scene,” Steinberg says. Round out the cast with supporting player George Segal and the rest of the gang, and there’s no doubt “The Goldbergs” is one of the strongest comedies to grace TV this season. For more on “The Goldbergs,” watch the exclusive clip below. And be sure to get more advice from Steinberg, only on Backstage.com. Inspired by this post? Check out our television audition listings!
- 6/16/2016
- backstage.com
Considering Season 2 of “Bloodline” dropped May 27, and the Netflix original is beyond binge-able, you’ve probably already watched the entire thing, loved every minute of it, and started it a second time by now. And it’s clear why. As Head of Talent and Casting for Sony Television Dawn Steinberg points out, the drama is filled with Emmy-worthy performances from the first episode to the last. At the helm is Kyle Chandler, who plays John Rayburn “with a simplicity. He doesn’t overdo it. He doesn’t get big. He doesn’t have to get blustery,” says Steinberg. “He keeps it simple. He keeps it right here. He connects to the other actors.” Of course the show is nothing without Ben Mendelsohn as Danny Rayburn, the black sheep brother. “He’s such a precise actor. There’s a cadence to his dialogue. There’s a pause, there’s a look to his eyes. He’s really intense,” Steinberg says. One look at him and you’re sure to get chills. For more on the award-worthy “Bloodline” performances,” watch the exclusive clip below. And be sure to check back for more new advice from Steinberg, only on...
- 6/14/2016
- backstage.com
Sure, “Better Call Saul” is a spinoff of “Breaking Bad,” but anyone who’s seen the AMC drama knows it’s so much more. As a supporting player on the Bryan Cranston-starring show, Bob Odenkirk’s Saul Goodman was a mystery to audiences. Now, thanks to the veteran actor’s award-worthy performance, the conniving lawyer is a thoroughly fleshed out, three-dimensional human being. “He adds a tiny bit of humor to the most heartbreaking scenes that his character is going through and you’re on the journey with him,” says Head of Talent and Casting for Sony Television Dawn Steinberg in this exclusive video. It’s his ability to relate to an audience on a truly human level that makes his performance so magnetic and award-worthy. And he’s not the only one. In addition, Jonathan Banks brings truth to the show as Mike Ehrmantraut. There are two sides to him: the tender,...
- 6/9/2016
- backstage.com
It only took one season for Jurnee Smollett-Bell and Aldis Hodge, stars of Wgn America’s “Underground,” to establish their show as appointment viewing. Add in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” alum Christopher Meloni and the show delivers the perfect balance of newcomers and stars all holding their own. In this exclusive video, Head of Talent and Casting for Sony Television Dawn Steinberg says, “Jurnee Smollett-Bell possesses power and passion and strength. [And] as the character grows that more and more comes out.” As any working actor knows, that kind of restraint isn’t easy! Steinberg also says that Hodge matches Smollett-Bell, encapsulating his character and living fully in the moment. And as for Meloni, who spent years playing a good guy on “Svu,” Steinberg says he had a desire to “dig deeper, and he so does that on this show.” As a bounty hunter, he delivers the sort of transformation...
- 6/7/2016
- backstage.com
It only took one season for Jurnee Smollett-Bell and Aldis Hodge, stars of Wgn America’s “Underground,” to establish their show as appointment viewing. Add in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” alum Christopher Meloni and the show delivers the perfect balance of newcomers and stars all holding their own. In this exclusive video, Head of Talent and Casting for Sony Television Dawn Steinberg says, “Jurnee Smollett-Bell possesses power and passion and strength. [And] as the character grows that more and more comes out.” As any working actor knows, that kind of restraint isn’t easy! Steinberg also says that Hodge matches Smollett-Bell, encapsulating his character and living fully in the moment. And as for Meloni, who spent years playing a good guy on “Svu,” Steinberg says he had a desire to “dig deeper, and he so does that on this show.” As a bounty hunter, he delivers the sort of transformation...
- 6/7/2016
- backstage.com
In just two seasons of “Outlander,” Caitriona Balfe, Tobias Menzies, and Sam Heughan have had to occupy two different worlds: the Scottish Highlands and 18th century France. It’s the kind of meaty work most performers dream of but not all can handle. So to bring the beloved novels by Diana Gabaldon to life, the show needed incredible actors. Head of Talent and Casting for Sony Television Dawn Steinberg can’t sing these three enough praise. Read: The ‘Outlander’ Men on Auditions and Adaptations “She’s one of those actresses who can just become the role,” she says of Balfe. “You watch her in a scene and you watch her anguish. It’s right out there. She’s not hiding it.” She also declares Menzies as one of the finest actors she’s ever seen work. With Emmy season right around the corner Steinberg says, “He deserves accolades and awards for the next 30, 40 years.
- 6/2/2016
- backstage.com
In this exclusive clip, Head of Talent and Casting for Sony Television Dawn Steinberg discusses James Spader’s award-worthy performance on “The Blacklist,” and what you can do to take your acting to the next level! “[He] just seems to know the lines you sort of toss off and the lines that need to be hammered home,” she says. Watch the exclusive clip below for more insight, and be sure to check back for more new advice from Steinberg, only on Backstage.com!
- 5/31/2016
- backstage.com
Dawn Steinberg has been upped to executive vp talent and casting at Sony Pictures Television.
Steinberg, based in Culver City, will continue to work with casting directors and oversee casting on all current Spt series, movies and miniseries as well as projects in development for broadcast, cable and first-run syndication. With her promotion, she also will supervise casting for new media.
Steinberg is credited with playing a key role in the casting of Bryan Cranston in AMC's "Breaking Bad," Rose Byrne in FX's "Damages," J.B. Smoove in Fox's " 'Til Death" and Patrick Swayze in A&E's upcoming series "The Beast," among others.
She reports to Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht, co-presidents of programming and production at Spt.
"Dawn has a great eye for talent and has played a key role in our success," Erlicht said.
Added Van Amburg: "We have won multiple Emmys and Golden Globes because Dawn puts the right actors in the right roles."
Steinberg joined Spt in 2003 as senior vp talent and casting. Before that, she was a casting consultant at NBC Studios.
Steinberg, based in Culver City, will continue to work with casting directors and oversee casting on all current Spt series, movies and miniseries as well as projects in development for broadcast, cable and first-run syndication. With her promotion, she also will supervise casting for new media.
Steinberg is credited with playing a key role in the casting of Bryan Cranston in AMC's "Breaking Bad," Rose Byrne in FX's "Damages," J.B. Smoove in Fox's " 'Til Death" and Patrick Swayze in A&E's upcoming series "The Beast," among others.
She reports to Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht, co-presidents of programming and production at Spt.
"Dawn has a great eye for talent and has played a key role in our success," Erlicht said.
Added Van Amburg: "We have won multiple Emmys and Golden Globes because Dawn puts the right actors in the right roles."
Steinberg joined Spt in 2003 as senior vp talent and casting. Before that, she was a casting consultant at NBC Studios.
- 7/9/2008
- by By Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Casting veteran Dawn Steinberg has been appointed head of casting at Sony Pictures Television. Steinberg will oversee all casting on Sony's series and longform TV productions for network, cable and first-run syndication in her role as senior vp talent and casting. She reports to Russ Krasnoff, SPT's president of programming and production. Steinberg succeeds Mark Saks, who has left SPT after a two-year stint as senior vp casting. "Throughout her career, Dawn has displayed both a sharp eye and discriminating taste when it comes to finding talent," Krasnoff said. "She's not afraid to make bold choices, and the diverse and original casts she's put together reflect that spirit." Steinberg has spent the past two years working as a consultant to NBC Studios, where she helped assemble the casts for the Peabody-winning drama Boomtown, featuring Donnie Walhberg and Mykelti Williamson, and the peacock's upcoming comedies Happy Family and Coupling. Before that, Steinberg served stints as head of casting at Artists Television Group and at Big Ticket Television. At Big Ticket, Steinberg's casting discoveries included Mo'Nique, the star of the UPN sitcom The Parkers. A native of New York, Steinberg began her career casting off-Broadway productions.
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