The Pitt, Abbott Elementary and The Studio were among the shows on hand for the third and final day of Televerse.
The festival wrapped up on Saturday with back-to-back FYC screenings and panels featuring creatives, execs and actors that took audiences behind the scenes of their Emmy-nominated shows. Here are all the highlights from the fest:
The Pitt: Drama Series Nominee FYC Presentation
Reflecting on the glowingly received first season of The Pitt, which has garnered 13 Emmy nominations, star, writer and executive producer Noah Wyle told the packed audience at the show's Televerse panel, “This has been such an amazing experience for me." Of his role as EP, Wyle added: “I never had a job when I’ve been there from the formative DNA.”
Helping shape the DNA of the show — which is currently shooting its second season — actor Fiona Dourif praised the critical role many of The Pitt's medical consultants play in that effort. “You could toss a penny on our set and you’d hit an actual medical professional," said Dourif, "which I think adds a lot of value to our show.”
As far as the show’s topicality, the panel revealed that the second season will address recent policies that have impacted medicine and healthcare. “It comes up because — how can it not?” explained actor Taylor Dearden, who plays fan-favorite character, Dr. "Mel" King.
Nominated for an Emmy for his work as a guest star, Shawn Hatosy said it was funny to only film for a half day on the pilot and then return — six months later — for the final episodes. He returned to work after the premiere of the show's first trailer, which focused heavily on his character, former combat medic Dr. Jack Abbot. Because the trailer positioned Dr. Abbot as a lead character, despite his limited screen time, Hatosy revealed it caused some playful joking on set, with the cast announcing “The star of The Pitt trailer is here!”
More photos in the Televerse Day 3: Saturday Photo Gallery
Abbott Elementary: Comedy Series Nominee FYC Presentation
After a screening of season four's “Music Class,” Quinta Brunson, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Janelle James took the stage to reflect on Abbott Elementary’s journey and the love it’s earned — from Philadelphia locals to fans at Comic-Con.
All three actresses — nominated this season for their performances — spoke about the evolution of their characters and the resilience of a series that has weathered Covid, industry strikes and even Los Angeles wildfires before finding its stride.
Brunson singled out one of her favorite moments: finally introducing a rivalry between Gregory (Tyler James Williams) and a student’s father. This was a storyline that Brunson wanted to explore since season one. The discussion also turned to the show’s crafts. Ralph praised the wardrobe department’s authenticity in dressing teachers, noting, “There are a lot of times we look very good. Trust me, that’s an Amazon sweater.”
The actresses also credited the hair team, with Brunson adding that her goal was for each character to be so distinct that viewers could recognize them instantly — even by silhouette.
To Live & Film In LA Panel
With our industry's increased focus on productions shooting in Los Angeles, this panel featured showrunners with L.A.-based series discussing their experience as well as the creative, cultural and economic benefits of producing TV in the city.
It’s a much-discussed topic among L.A.-based TV industry professionals, and the Televerse crowd gathered for a conversation dedicated to it: Will L.A. be able to reclaim its status as a hub for TV production?
Deadline’s Katie Campione moderated a distinguished panel of five people fighting to make that happen: showrunner-EPs Ted Humphrey and Dailyn Rodriguez (The Lincoln Lawyer), Annie Weisman (Physical) and Derek Haas (Countdown), plus Matthew Tinker, president of David E. Kelley Productions.
It was a lively discussion that touched on the recently expanded eligibility and doubled incentive fund for tax credits, the benefits of shooting in L.A. (access to a variety of locations, the availability of talent, generations of industry knowledge among crews of all kinds, Californian culture in general) and the challenges therein, as well. Those challenges include how "NIMBY-ism" affects shows’ ability to shoot locally, as does a need to rebrand the business as the largely blue-collar work that it is. It also challenging to fill local studio stages when they currently sit at only 40% capacity.
A highlight: The panel was asked to share a local business they’ve worked with that deserves a shoutout. They named small businesses (craft services, longstanding security firms, local restaurants) and neighborhoods like East L.A. and Boyle Heights that have been great to them.
The Last of Us and Hacks FYC Presentation
HBO and HBO Max brought two of their most popular Emmy-winning series to Televerse — The Last of Us and Hacks — for a lively and in-depth discussion with each show's respective creative personnel and casts.
At The Last of Us panel, executive producers and showrunner Craig Mazin explained why the first season's success was a bit of a downside when it came to season 2. “We understood how many people are watching us! We’re talking about tens of millions of people, so everything does feel a little bit fraught.”
Kaitlyn Dever , who plays the controversial and revenge-fueled Abby, revealed that the first thing she shot for the new season was (spoiler alert!) when Abby kills Joel (Pedro Pascal). Dever said she was glad it worked out that way because, "I could hone Abby’s grief and rage." It also let her get to know the cast and crew well: “I’d never felt so supported, especially by Pedro.”
Joe Pantoliano was also on hand to discuss the tragic fate of his character, Eugene, at the hands of Joel in "The Price." Though Pantoliano is only in a couple of scenes, his work made enough of an impact to earn him an Emmy nomination. The veteran actor told attendees that he found the show to be among the most satisfying projects he has worked on in the past 20 years. "What spoke to me the most was the human element," Pantoliano said. "it was very emotional.”
Neil Druckmann, who directed "The Price," revealed that an early version of the episode featured some more comedic dialogue during Eugene's final moments. These lines were ultimately cut when they saw how powerful Pantoliano’s performance was.
The Emmy-winning creators, executive producers and showrunners of Hacks — Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky — headlined their panel's hilarious discussion about the making of the most recent season, which saw significant development in the complicated but endearing relationship between writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder) and her boss, the legendary comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart).
Einbinder joined the showrunners, as did a virtual Julianne Nicholson (Dance Mom), to break down the season's biggest and most comedic moves. They also teased how the show's core relationship will evolve after Vance's much-coveted career in late night came to a shocking but necessary conclusion.
Aniello is also a frequent director on the series, and season four newcomer Nicholson said she appreciated Aniello's approach to scene work: "She had the attitude that there [are] no bad ideas and no bad takes,” which created a generous space for improvisation. Einbinder also praised Aniello’s visual style, recalling “a drone shot behind Deborah’s back revealing a drag queen… That’s some Ocean’s Eleven shit!”
Though Smart couldn’t make it to the panel due to her Broadway commitments, Statsky had nothing but praise for their Emmy-winning actor. “She’s an incredible number one on the call sheet because she works so hard." Statsky added: "She’ll let herself look incredibly goofy for the show.” The EPs all praised her for constantly being “committed to what is most funny.”
Behind the Mic - Voice Acting
One of the many pleasures of the Televerse panel devoted to voice acting was hearing the renowned participants ply their craft as they discussed its joys and challenges. Among the many voices and sounds dropped into the conversation: Bob Bergen shared his best Porky Pig stutter; E.G. Daily busted out Buttercup from The Powerpuff Girls; Debi Derryberry cooed and gurgled like the infants and toddlers that are her specialty; and Maurice LaMarche brought down the house with a roaring belch he contributed to the movie Elf. Then there were the trade secrets. Need a voice that sounds like talking with braces? Daily said a finger between the lips and teeth while reading a line just might do the trick.
Although the panelists took different paths to the profession, they shared similar advice about how to do it well. Show up. Have fun. Be flexible. Act out the part with your whole body not just your voice. Take direction but always ask for permission to try it your own way. And learn to love auditioning because even the most successful names in the business need to do it. A lot.
“Once you prove you’re going to show up,” said LaMarche, "it’s the closest thing to a meritocracy in show business.”
The Studio: Comedy Series Nominee FYC Presentation
After a screening of The Studio's season finale, attendees enjoyed an engaging conversation with moderator Yvette Nicole Brown and the team behind the 23-time Emmy-nominated comedy.
The series offers a fast-paced, insider look at the highs and lows of Hollywood, pairing razor-sharp humor with an all-star ensemble. Onstage were cocreator-director-executive producer and star Seth Rogen, executive producer James Weaver and cast members Kathryn Hahn, Chase Sui Wonders, Bryan Cranston and Dave Franco. Rogen admitted that the wave of Emmy recognition was “exciting” but also “incredibly stressful” as he looks ahead to season two.
Adolescence: Limited Or Anthology Series Nominee FYC Presentation
Netflix brought the stars and creators of their global phenomenon, Adolescence, to Televerse and those lucky enough to attend the panel were not disappointed.
Actor, writer and executive producer Stephen Graham made a virtual appearance at the sold-out panel. which also featured: Actor Owen Cooper, casting director Shaheen Baig, actor Erin Doherty and executive producer-writer Jack Thorne (also virtual).
In just four unforgettable episodes, Netflix’s Adolescence captures the aftermath of a chilling and seemingly random act of violence that engulfs an ordinary family in England. The powerful storytelling is delivered in four single-shot episodes that pack an emotional wallop while demonstrating technical innovation.
“Watching Owen take control of that character was the closest thing to a magic trick I’ve ever seen,” said Thorne, speaking about Owen Cooper’s performance. The show’s 13 Emmy nominations are a testament to the supportive environment that was created on set. “If you make everyone feel like they have the right to be there, you’re going to have a wonderful experience,” said Graham. Cooper agreed: “Filming the show was the best three weeks of my life.”
Judging Amy Reunion: A Conversation with Amy Brenneman & Tyne Daly
The Televerse panel with Amy Brenneman and Tyne Daly, who starred on the acclaimed CBS drama Judging Amy, wasn’t just a show reunion, it was also a family reunion. On the series, Daly and Brenneman played a mother and daughter who, like Brenneman’s own mom, were Connecticut judges. And from the moment the conversation began, the duo’s easy banter captured their on-screen rapport during Judging Amy’s 1999-2005 run. Adding to the life-meets-art family theme, the panel moderator was Brenneman’s husband, writer-director-producer Brad Silberling, who also worked on the show — on which Brenneman’s mother was a technical advisor.
From the start, Brenneman, Daly and showrunner Barbara Hall were determined to tell authentic stories not only about the court system but about women. At the time, Brenneman recalled, TV story lines about women were largely soft and sentimental. “It drove me freaking nuts,” she said. “I was like, ‘Have you met my mother? Have you met Tyne?’ I felt it was really degrading.” Instead, they wanted to show that women “are good and they're bad and they're virtuous and they're terrible — they're just human beings.”
Uplifting women prevailed off-camera as well. Brenneman, who was a very hands-on executive producer on the show as well as its star, described how exhausted she was when she returned to work shortly after giving birth to her first child and how much she missed her infant daughter. One day, in tears while getting her makeup done, she said, “Why am I doing this?” Daly’s sage reply: “You’re witnessing to your daughter how a woman works with grace and dignity.”
Only Murders in the Building: Comedy Series Nominee FYC Presentation
Showrunner-EP John Hoffman and the lead cast of Hulu’s quirky ensemble murder mystery (Steve Martin, Selena Gomez and a virtual Martin Short) gathered for a hilarity-packed discussion — moderated by fellow cast member Da’Vine Joy Randolph — about the show’s fourth season, which saw our favorite podcaster-detectives shipped to Hollywood.
Hoffman discussed the decision to present each episode as a love letter to a different old-Hollywood film (“It was a blast to think of this season in those terms,” he says) and talked up the show’s masterful crafts teams, from costumes to production design. And the entire stage attempted to ID the secret sauce that allows Only Murders to gather such an impressive roster of guest stars. They settled on the fact that having the set be fun is the ultimate priority.
Televerse attendees were treated to an exclusive sneak peek in the form of a scene from the new season, premiering next month. When asked to tease what viewers can expect, Hoffman didn’t divulge much, other than saying the story will “pull from the headlines of today.”
Bones: 20th Anniversary Panel with Creator and Cast
Bones creator-showrunner Hart Hanson and stars Emily Deschanel, David Boreanaz, Michaela Conlin, T.J. Thyne, Tamara Taylor and Eric Millegan reunited at Televerse for the 20th anniversary of Fox's crime procedural, Bones. And the packed (and cheering) audience was clearly ecstatic about the Televerse reunion.
The easy chemistry among cast was apparent, with a lot of stories about funny days and nights on set — from Boreanaz putting a whoopie cushion on Michaela Conlin’s chair, to Tamara Taylor and T. J. Thyne’s nonstop giggles shooting a scene. Their laughter only increased when director Chad Lowe, trying to get them to focus and get serious, yelled, “Dead babies!”
Hanson explained how quickly Bones came together: Another potential series at 20th Century Fox Television fell apart and the writer "owed 20th a pilot really fast.”
The hit procedural, which ran for 12 seasons, followed renowned forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance "Bones" Brennan (Deschanel) and F.B.I. Special Agent Seeley Booth (Boreanaz) as they investigated and solved intricate crimes.
Hanson and David Boreanaz recalled how difficult it was to find the perfect actor to play the show's title character. After Boreanz read with Deschanel, he remembered turning to Hanson afterward and saying: “Well, I think we found the girl.”
Severance: Drama Series Nominee FYC Presentation
At Saturday’s Severance panel, Adam Scott summed up the experience of making the Apple TV+ thriller: “If we didn’t love making this show, it would be impossible to make.”
Scott, who stars in and executive produces the series, was joined by director–EP Ben Stiller , creator–writer–EP Dan Erickson, EP–actress Patricia Arquette and cast members Britt Lower, John Turturro, Tramell Tillman and Zach Cherry.
Erickson revealed that the ending to the show that he pitched at the very start is still the one he envisions, though the creative process has brought plenty of discovery along the way. The Emmy-winning series, which scored 27 nominations this season, follows office workers whose memories are surgically split between their professional and personal lives. “They feel like different music in my head,” said Lower of her character’s dual identities. Cherry described his “innie” as a younger, more naïve version of his “outie.”
The panelists also celebrated the fan community — art, theories and endless speculation and social media commentary included. And Erickson couldn’t resist teasing what’s still to come: The mysterious Lumon Industries basement, he said, is much larger than fans know — both horizontally and vertically. “There’s a lot still to be explored.”
The Diplomat: Drama Series Nominee FYC Screening
Netflix screened an episode of their political drama, The Diplomat, starring Keri Russell.
The Perfect Frame Panel
Key storytellers in the making of television are the cinematographers responsible for bringing that television to our TV screens.
Some of the industry's most in-demand DPs came to Televerse to break down their favorite shots and scenes in TV — both from their own work and from shows that have creatively influenced or inspired them. The panelists — Abraham Martínez (Netflix's Cobra Kai), Gavin Kelly, ASC (Prime Video's Ballard), Shana Hagan, ASC (HBO's Somebody Somewhere) and Tarin Anderson (Prime Video's Paper Girls) — offered detailed insights into how they approach composing a scene and account for lightning needs when shooting outside of a soundstage. They also unpacked how they work with directors and crew to help author a show's visual language.
The State of Inclusion Panel
A stacked panel of esteemed studio execs and advocacy organization reps (among them GLAAD and NAACP) came together for a discussion about keeping inclusion relevant in television, both in front of and behind the screen.
What are the best ways for the industry to tackle misconceptions about DEIA efforts? How is authentic storytelling on TV actually good for business? What are studios and platforms risking by not being inclusive in their creative projects? All these topics and more were up for discussion — along with the idea that, ultimately, understanding intersectionality among various constituencies is how the industry will succeed.
One highlight that got the crowd clapping: Panelist Shoshannah Stern, a deaf actor-writer-producer-director, discussing how accessibility efforts truly benefit everyone — not just the disabled. “Who here watches TV with subtitles?” she asked the audience. After many raised a hand, she followed up with, “You’re welcome!”
This timely panel featured studio execs and DEIA practitioners that champion inclusive media while elevating diversity, equity and accessibility — both on and off the screen.
The Penguin and The White Lotus FYC Presentation
At the panel for The Penguin, executive producer-showrunner Lauren LeFranc revealed when she knew that she had figured out the origin story for the popular Batman villain, Oswald Cobblepot (aka "Oz" Cobb). "It was when I realized that as much as Oz wanted to be revered by the masses, most of all he wanted to make his mother proud.”
The HBO show's star and Oz Cobb himself, Colin Farrell, added: "What Lauren created has such a depth to it. Her biggest gift to me was the relationship with Oz and his mother.” When it came to casting Deirdre O’Connell as Oz’s mother, Farrell recalled what happened after a memorable camera test: “I remember going home and saying to my sister, ‘This is gonna be a blast. This woman is amazing.’”
At panel for The White Lotus, Sam Rockwell, speaking about his famous monologue from season three, remarked, “What Mike [White] did with the monologue was summarizing the plot of the season,” and how it reflected “the quest for enlightenment in conflict with selfishness.”
Natasha Rothwell defended her character Belinda’s decision in the season finale, saying that she hoped the audience could “Give grace to her doing something amoral because she is so deserving.” Going forward, she felt that her popular character will be "true to who she is, but the financial freedom for herself — and what she can do for her son — was just too much to say no to.”
Jason Isaacs recalled first being mad that people laughed at a reaction shot in the finale of his character, Timothy, adding another family member to his grim murder plan. But the actor soon realized that the choice reflected the genius of Mike White — finding the dark humor in a situation like that.
When the cast were asked what they’d like to take from their characters, Parker Posey replied, “I would take a lorazepam!
Performers and AI: Contracts, Consent and Compensation Panel
This panel offered attendees an in-depth exploration of AI-related protections and compensation for live-action, voiceover, stunt and commercial talent. Experts from SAG-AFTRA, the National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA) and the Television Academy took to the stage to address AI's growing presence in our industry.
Panelists included: Tim Friedlander (President & Co-Founder, NAVA), Jessica Johnson (National Director, Entertainment Contracts, SAG-AFTRA), actor Dina Sherman, casting director Lisa Zambetti and Emmy-nominated actor Bob Bergen. They addressed a variety of timely and relevant topics, such as union and non-union AI clauses for television performers. They also discussed the considerable challenges and opportunities that those in TV are now facing in regards to AI use.
Dying for Sex: Limited Or Anthology Series Nominee FYC Screening
FX screened an episode of their Emmy-nominated series, Dying for Sex, starring Michelle Williams.
Queer As Folk: 25th Anniversary Reunion Panel
It’s hard to believe it has been a quarter-century since Showtime transported us to Pittsburgh’s gayborhood via the characters of Queer As Folk.
Now, just for Televerse, 25 years after the groundbreaking series began its first of five seasons, cocreators Daniel Lipman and Ron Cowen and cast members Peter Paige, Gale Harold, Scott Lowell, Sharon Gless, Michelle Clunie and Thea Gill reunited to share stories of making the show — some poignant (tears were shed!), most celebratory.
And there was no shortage of stories to tell, from sharing the process of adapting the show from Russell T. Davies’s same-named British series and the hurdles of casting the series to navigating sex scenes before the age of intimacy coordinators and the creators’ insistence that the show’s tone be one of celebration of queer culture as opposed to doom and gloom.
But as raucous and enthusiastic as the crowd of QAF fans were to revisit the show, no one seemed more full of gratitude than its creators and cast members to be given the chance to reminisce and discuss the profound, lasting impact this show had on all LGBTQ stories told on television since.
Andor: Drama Series Nominee FYC Presentation
The force was strong with the final panel of Televerse, as Andor's trio of brothers— creator-EP Tony Gilroy, EP-editor John Gilroy and writer Dan Gilroy — discussed the show's critically acclaimed second and final season.
Rather than feeling confined by the knowledge that the show had to lead into the 2016 Star Wars movie, Rogue One, the creative team felt unshackled by not really needing to intersect with the franchise's key canonical milestones. That aspect was a big draw for Tony: “One of the reasons that the show is as precise and resonant and whole and thematic as it is, is [because] we knew exactly where we were going. I find that liberating.”
Regarding season two's unique release structure, with four three-episode arcs that each jumped one year ahead, John said: “I realized the whole story was getting more urgent as we got closer to the finish line; it just got more and more intense."
When the panel focused on the second season's pivotal seventh, eighth and ninth episodes, Dan explained his approach to that three-episode's arc that centered on the Ghorman massacre and its bloody aftermath. Despite the dark material, Dan explained: “It was a joy, oddly enough, to write that. There were so many things going on.” One of them being Mon Mothma (Genevieve O'Reilly)'s iconic speech from the episode, which became very popular online.
For the latest news about Televerse sign up for Televerse updates.
