4 Writers Behind Your Favorite Television Shows

The following is a guest post by Karolyn Carnie, an award-winning Hollywood screenwriter who has worked on shows for Nickelodeon's Make It Pop and USA's Suits. She was kind enough to give us her insider's tips on some of the hottest writers in show business today. You've no doubt watched their work unfold on screen—now its time to see just who they are in real life. Heads up: they're not quite what you'd expect!

When I was first asked to pick ‘four writers behind your favorite television shows’, I panicked and hyperventilated into a paper bag, that may or may not have had leftover pizza in it. I had to get the job done, so I got to work by pulling out my dartboard and pictures of every writer on every TV show ever made, which I just happen to keep in my desk drawer.

I reached for the darts for one simple reason: there are so many amazingly talented writers that it made it impossible to choose. My only direction: choose writers that may not be household names.

So with my four darts I’ll hopefully give you new names to watch out for in the credits. This is a short list of writers outside of those you hear and read about most frequently: Shonda Rhimes, Kenya Barris, Ryan Murphy, Michael Schur, and many others. Some people on this list may be a lieutenant to a household name, others completely separate, or maybe they’ve seen each other from afar during award season and awkwardly waved… no? Just me? Moving on.

I urge you to check out the writer of the next TV episode you love and learn more about their work.

Vera Santamaria

ryersonrta.ca

Vera has been a writer of fan favorite shows, as well as critically acclaimed ones such as: Community, Up All Night, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Bojack Horseman, Playing House, Schitt's Creek, and the upcoming season of Orange Is The New Black, and that really is only to name a few. Vera created her own show, How To Be Indie, which aired on YTV in Canada and she hasn’t slowed down since. Vera will continue to be a name behind your favorite shows, whether you know it or not.

Martin Gero

Nbcuniversal / Evans Vestal Ward / NBCUniversal

His name might not be spoken in the same breath as other hit-making drama showrunners like Shonda Rhimes, Ryan Murphy, Jason Katims, and Jenji Kohan, but it should be! He’s the creator of NBC’s Blindspot and L.A. Complex, Executive Producer of the new ABC series, Deception; and writer for Bored To Death, Dark Matter, Stargate Universe, Stargate: Atlantis and Stargate SG-1. Martin has shown more than just talent and skill — he has the ability to move between cable and network, as well as walk the tightrope of comedy and drama, which will allow him to stay relevant and at the top of his game as the industry continues to evolve.

Jen Statsky

imdb.com

Chances are — if you’re currently watching comedy — Jen Statsky is making you laugh. Jen is a producer on the NBC hit, The Good Place, which marks the second time she’s worked with showrunner Michael Schur, having also been part of his writing staff for Parks And Recreation. Jen has also been part of the monster fan hit Broad City. Other credits include Lady Dynamite, Another Period, and The Characters. She’s been nominated for three WGA awards and is an important voice in comedy today. Statsky has written for characters that won’t soon be forgotten; characters who have made an impact on us individually and universally. Statsky is the future of comedy, and will be a top player in the years to come.

Leila Gerstein

zimbio.com

One of the biggest shows on air today is The Handmaid's Tale, and Leila Gerstein is part of the Emmy winning writing team for season one. This is not the first time she has written strong female leads, she has spent her career writing different complex women from all walks of life. Gerstein started her career on The O.C., followed by Gossip Girl, as well as Claws on TNT. Leila worked with Rachel Bilson for a second time when she created and executive produced Hart Of Dixie, which ran for four seasons on The CW. Leila’s writing is a must for fans of female protagonists.