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EXCLUSIVE: Castle executive producer Laurie Zaks is putting down roots at ABC Studios, which produces the ABC dramedy. Zaks has signed an overall deal with the studio, her first overall pact, and has launched her own production company, Second Season. Under the one-year deal, which has an option for a second year, Zaks will develop new projects. The name she chose for her company is a reference to “what you want to get for your show, a second season,” Zaks said. But also, “the second season is spring which is time for renewal. This is new for me, and I love that spiritual meaning.” Zaks has been at ABC Studios since 2006 when she left the network executive ranks to become president of Armyan Bernstein’s Beacon Television, which had a deal at the studio (then Touchstone TV). At Beacon, she developed Castle and has spent the past four years as an executive producer on the crime procedural starring Nathan Fillion. While she will keep her executive producer title on the show, Zaks will scale back her day-to-day involvement to focus on development this coming season. “I have to find the next Castle,” she quipped.
Before joining Beacon, Zaks served as SVP, Current Programs at UPN from 2002 until the network’s final season, overseeing such shows as Veronica Mars, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Everybody Hates Chris. She also spent six years at CBS as VP of current programs where she was in charge of comedies Everybody Loves Raymond & The King of Queens and drama The Guardian. Zaks, repped by UTA and attorney John Moonves, also was one of the founding executives at Comedy Central, where she also spent six years.
TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.
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Congrats Laurie! Love when good things happen to good people!
There is a show called “Castle” on the air?
Yes. That frequently wins its timeslot and averages about 12 million viers…
That’s great news. Wish you the best.
I’m worried about Castle… :-/
If this season was any indication (minus the finale) we should be worried. They need a proper showrunner to steer that ship. Bummer.
That being said, congratulations to Laurie. She is truly a class act
CASTLE never would have made it on the air without her fight and determination. Smart move by ABC Studios. Way to go LZ!!!
I met Laurie at the tail end of her Comedy Central days, and have dealt with her on and off ever since. She has great creative instincts, is a straight shooter, and a good person. I know she’ll be successful in this new venture. Another smart move ABC Studios. Art
laurie is awesome and so deserves this! congratulations, pal!
congrats laurie! good things happening to good people!
Congrats, Laurie, you deserve it! Good to see great people rewarded. Smart move, ABC.
Way to go, LZ!!! I love working with Laurie. So many other “creative” execs love to hear themselves talk. When debating a note, Laurie would say, “Just say ‘I’ll think about it’” and let you detach yourself from the emotion of the note. One of the smartest, coolest creative execs in the biz! Kudos to her (and Chiefy)! Nice to see one of the nicest, smartest execs I know get rewarded!
Wooohooo! Well deserved and great for ABC. Just worried about Castle…
One of the best people I’ve ever worked with. Congratulations ABC is lucky to have you.
She has to find a new Castle ? What ?!
Very smart move by ABC. Laurie is one of the best in the business and is always a pleasure to deal with.
I am so happy for Laurie. I know she was responsible for keeping Castle alive at the beginning. I have known her for years. She is an amazing executive, and i have no doubt whatever projects she is attached to will be a huge success. Can’t wait to see what she does next!
ABC is lucky to have Laurie. Trusted, smart, great creative instincts, strong with writers, real integrity and a great supporter of women in the business. Way to go Laurie!
While this woman might be very nice and capable of giving some helpful notes from time to time, I am always somewhat dubious of
non writing people who claim to have developed a series — I can
recall how many people from development, current, and non writing execs took credit for the success of “Friends”, for example. It’s a process, and many people can contribute — but to hang one’s hat on it and act like you are the primary reason for it, when you are not even a writer, is taking it a bit too far and sounds like hype and spin. Just one person’s opinion as a somewhat experienced mid level television series writer. Good luck to this woman though. One never knows where the next good idea might come from!
I agree, Development Person. Also, I don’t understand why this show needed a non writing “Executive Producer” since there are already some very experienced showrunners attached. I can’t understand the difference between a studio executive and a non writing “EP” on a show. Maybe it’s all just titles and spin. In any event, not to harp on this poor woman as an example, but it’s all very ambiguous and indicative of the spin of show business in this regard.
“Producer” is different than “Writer.” There are more to the job of EP than helping mold the creative (which you do as a non-writing EP). Including managing difficult personalities as this show has be come notorious for.
Also, she doesn’t seem like a “poor woman” to me. I smell a stinking pile of jealousy
Dear N – That is a very low class response and sounds like someone on the offensive. Calling someone “jealous” because they offer an opinion you don’t like is the old stand-by and is juvenile. I see nothing wrong with the posters statements above. Calm down.
Congrats to you Laurie, one of the few and finest lights amongst the numerous dirty producers. Dreams do come true and you deserve it more than most. See you soon. Ta
Awe development person. Do you have a clue? Have you considered that the one who hires the writers may also be responsible for its success. You don’t have to be a writer to claim development rights. Someone isn’t happy with others success, you must be an insider and one of the dark multitudes I spoke of. I bet you wring your dirty grubby/nubby little fingers together in agony when others are more successful than you. I’m sure they are wringing a lot. What a tool!
Congrats Laurie. I agree non-writing EP’s can be fundamental to a series success. Selecting writers and balancing assignments is a true gift. As a writer, I have absolutely no problem with her claiming a piece of the creative credit. And as a fan of CASTLE, I thank you.