Shondaland

Summary

Shondaland (stylized as ShondaLand from 2005 to 2016 and shondaland thereafter) is an American television production company founded by television writer and producer Shonda Rhimes.[1] She founded it to be one of the production companies of her first series, the medical drama Grey's Anatomy in 2005. It has since gone on to produce Rhimes's other creations, Grey's spinoff Private Practice and the political drama Scandal, and her other productions—the short-lived Off the Map, the Viola Davis-starring legal thriller How to Get Away with Murder, and the crime thriller The Catch—all of which are co-produced with ABC Studios and air on ABC. As of 2017, it has a partnership affiliation with Netflix.

Shondaland
Company typePrivate
IndustryTelevision production
Founded2005 (Los Angeles, California)
FounderShonda Rhimes
HeadquartersLos Angeles, California
Key people
Shonda Rhimes (Chairwoman/CEO)
Betsy Beers
ProductsGrey's Anatomy
(2005–present)
Private Practice
(2007–2013)
Off the Map
(2011)
Scandal
(2012–2018)
How to Get Away with Murder
(2014–2020)
The Catch
(2016–2017)
Still Star-Crossed
(2017)
For the People
(2018–2019)
Station 19
(2018–present)
Bridgerton
(2020–present)
Inventing Anna
(2022)
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
(2023)
OwnerShonda Rhimes
WebsiteOfficial website
Official website

History edit

Programming block edit

In 2014, the ABC network programmed its entire Thursday primetime lineup with television series produced by Shondaland, then branded the Shondaland-filled programming block as "Thank God It's Thursday," also referred to in its shortened form, TGIT.[2] This echoes ABC's former TGIF branding of its Friday night family sitcoms[3] and NBC's Must See TV promotion of formidable Thursday night television hits in the 1990s. Thursday is an especially important night for American television networks because it is the last chance for advertisers of weekend purchases, like movies and cars, to reach a large TV audience, and networks schedule highly rated programming for the night to attract those advertising dollars.[4] The Associated Press called Rhimes' reign of an entire night of network television "unmatched in TV history."[5]

Productions edit

The first series produced by Shondaland is Grey's Anatomy, which premiered on March 27, 2005, and currently is broadcasting its nineteenth season.[6] In 2007, Private Practice premiered, and lasted for six seasons, until its final broadcast, on January 22, 2013.[7] The third installment, Off the Map, was created by Jenna Bans and lasted for only one season, in 2011.[8] Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder, premiered in 2012 and 2014, respectively, with Scandal airing its final episode on April 19, 2018, and How to Get Away with Murder airing its final episode on May 14, 2020. The comedy-driven crime drama The Catch aired for two seasons and received generally positive reviews from critics.[9] The period drama Still Star-Crossed premiered on May 29, 2017, and was cancelled after one season.[10] The legal drama For the People, created by Paul William Davies and set to premiere in the 2017–18 television season,[11] is the eighth television series produced by Shondaland. In May 2019, it was cancelled after two seasons.[12] It was announced on January 3, 2018, that Scandal and How to Get Away With Murder would crossover with one another in Shondaland's first crossover event (excluding spin-offs).[13]

Website edit

In 2017, Shondaland launched the lifestyle website Shondaland.com in partnership with Hearst.[14]

Initiatives edit

Shonda Rhimes shares her knowledge with aspiring screenwriters and producers through ShondaLand and initiatives for her MasterClass.com program.[15]

Shondaland partnered with Seriesfest[16] in 2019 to launch the Women's Directing Mentorship,[17] a competition designed to discover aspiring female directors.[18][19] The Seriesfest panel included Shondaland's Head of Fiction Alison Eakle, Akua Murphy, Katie Lowes and Anna Deavere Smith.[20] The first Shondaland Women's Directing Mentorship was awarded to Rachel Myers.[21]

In January 2020, it was announced that Shonda Rhimes had partnered with iHeartMedia to launch Shondaland Audio.[22]

Shondaland overview edit

Recurring actors edit

Some actors appear in more than one television show produced by Shondaland. Currently, Liza Weil, Mimi Kennedy, John Getz, José Zúñiga, Cynthia Stevenson, Faran Tahir and Anthony Hill are the only actors to make appearances in four shows.

  = Main role    = Recurring role
Work
Actor
Grey's Anatomy Private Practice Off the Map Scandal How to Get Away with Murder The Catch Still Star-Crossed For the People Station 19 Bridgerton Inventing Anna
Mark Adair-Rios David Morris Armando Cruz Dr. Erik Turner
Paul Adelstein Cooper Freedman Cooper Freedman Leo Bergen
Kevin Alejandro Officer Dan Pruitt Nathan Ashmore
Amrapali Ambegaokar Intern Dani Jessica
David Andrews George Reed Tony Ellis
Alexis Floyd Simone Griffith Neff Davis
Juan Antonio Hot guy Levi
Michael Arden Neal Hannigan Pher
Wes Armstrong Chris Armstrong Bill
Mackenzie Astin Danny Wilson Dan Meyer Noah Baker
Laila Ayad Laura Morgan Charlotte Reid
Steven W. Bailey Joe/Jeremy Joe Noah Elliot
Michael Beach Mr. Baker Douglas Delap
Alexandra Billings Donna Gibson Jill Hartford
Nazanin Boniadi Amrita Adnan Salif
Jake Borelli Dr. Levi Schmitt Dr. Levi Schmitt
Jayne Brook Gwen Graber Dr. Meg Porter Lynn
Alan Brooks Chairman Mike Snedeker Grant Hapstall
Jasmin Savoy Brown Amanda Joseph Allison Adams
Dan Bucatinsky Jeffrey James Novak
David Burke Don Mr. Spencer Mr. Thomas
John Burke Paul Mosley ADA Vince Travers
Jere Burns Ben Bosco Richie Salerno
Kate Burton Ellis Grey Sally Langston Nora
Tisha Campbell-Martin Lila's mother Pam Reiter
Catherine Carlen Governor Kelly Rauch Judge Emily Hargrove
Justin Chambers Alex Karev Alex Karev
Jennifer Christopher Civilian Gemma Walsh
Shannon Cochran Mary Singleton Marian Cooper Susan Sawyer
Josh Crotty Secret Service agent Evan Connors
Valerie Cruz Zona Cruz Dr. Zee Alvarez Carolina Flores
Steven Culp Dr. Darren Parker Victor Lesher
Eric Dane Dr. Mark Sloan Dr. Mark Sloan
Viola Davis Annalise Keating Annalise Keating
Patrick Dempsey Derek Shepherd Derek Shepherd
David Denman Rick Jacobs Kevin Murphy
Kiran Deol Young woman Dr. Lira
Sharmila Devar Female Intern Lisa
Taye Diggs Dr. Sam Bennett Dr. Sam Bennett
Marika Domińczyk Dr. Eliza Minnick Talia
Jeff Doucette Warren Sterman Warden Judge George Danvers
Matthew Downs Frank Agent Anthony Fain
Julie Dretzin Carmen Hall FBI Agent Judge Diane Barish
Sarah Drew April Kepner Judy
Stacy Edwards Kathleen Wheeler Maria Wilson Gretchen Thomas
Tony Elias Collin Jimmy Wordshaw
Scott Foley Henry Burton Jake Ballard
Amanda Foreman Nora Katie Kent Susan Bailey
Jason George Dr. Ben Warren Dr. Otis Cole Dr. Ben Warren
John Getz Michael Breyers Mr. Kent Patrick Keating David Dolan
Zach Gilford Charlie Lowell Dr. Tommy Fuller
Erica Gimpel Bethany Anderson Renée Etheridge
Mary Pat Gleason Marge Walker Betsy Ray Robin Laforge
Misha Gonz-Cirkl Social worker Detective Lana Ramos
Nicholas Gonzalez Clark West Mateo Dominic
April Grace Greta's Sister Fran Judge Renee Garret
Allie Grant Alana Julie
Jake Green Pete Gibson Seth Hamilton
Tim Griffin Ronny O'Malley AUSA Caleb Abernathy
Caitlainne Rose Gurreri Lori Marie Sherwood
Barbara Eve Harris Melinda Stinson Judge Fiona Pruitt
Roxanne Hart Dana Seabury Ellen Miller Sylvia Mahoney
Jay Hayden Danny Yoon Travis Montgomery
Pat Healy Tom Russell Dennis Michael Dixon
Martin Henderson Dr. Nathan Riggs Dr. Ben Keeton
Anthony Hill Dr. Winston Ndugu Noah Guy Watson Neil
Jerrika Hinton Stephanie Edwards Hannah
Judith Hoag Rhada Douglas Angie McConnell Margie Packard
Joe Holt Steve Beck Defense Secretary
Leslie Hope Linda Bridget Clemmons Battalion Chief Frankel
Eamon Hunt Judge Judge Colton Lee
Jackson Hurst Thomas Archibald Congressman Jacob Shaw Mario Visconti
Jay Jackson Mike Waters/News anchor BNC News anchor
Anne-Marie Johnson Judge Madeline Kane Senator Knox
Danielle Kennedy Angry woman Nurse
Mimi Kennedy Verna Bradley Eleanor Bergin Sharon Marquette Virginia Foster
Anna Khaja Cooper's Lawyer Vera Simmons
Aja Naomi King Michaela Pratt Michaela Pratt
David L. King Dr. Belridge William Etheridge
T. R. Knight Dr. George O'Malley Tommy Vaughan
Nicola Lambo Sienna Rogers Saleswoman
Damien Leake Judge Leo Theroux Dr. Healy
Chyler Leigh Dr. Lexie Grey Dr. Lexie Gr]]
Chris Lowell William "Dell" Parker Noah
Katie Lowes Blood donor Kendra Walker/Kira Quinn Perkins Rachel
Justina Machado Anna Nyles Stephanie Kemp Teresa
Roma Maffia Roberta Thompson Matilda
Joshua Malina Seth Hammer Jason Windsor David Rosen Henrick Knight
Cheech Marin Otis Sharon Papa Ucumari
Nelson Mashita Proctor Judge Gene Escobar
Susan May Pratt Barbara Becky
Mary McCormack Lisa Elliot Chloe Daniels
Kelly McCreary Maggie Pierce Clare Tucker Maggie Pierce
Michael McGrady Stanley Singer AUSA Hobbs
Thomas G. McMahon Government goon Lloyd
Joan McMurtrey Zoey Glass Jennifer Debray Helena Hapstall
Abby Miller Kate Shaw Simone Parker Gwen Ericsson
Dylan Minnette Ryan Jerry Grant Jr.
Debra Mooney Evelyn Hunt Sylvie Verna Thornton Judge
Judith Moreland Mrs. Baer Judge Virginia Wilder
George Newbern Stan Mercer Brian Reynolds Charlie
Niko Terho Lucas Adams Lucas Adams
Harry Shum Jr. Benson Kwan Benson Kwan
Paula Newsome Mrs. Sturgeon Joyce Robinson
Dean Norris Vince Morris Cooper
Amy Okuda Chelsea Ansell Catherine Hapstall
Enuka Okuma Teresa Brotherton Nia Lahey
Regé-Jean Page Leonard Knox Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings
April Parker Jones Doctor Detective Claire Bryce
Jeff Perry Thatcher Grey Cyrus Beene Lou
Zoe Perry Katy Noonan Lisa Samantha Ruland
Rick Peters Sean Greene Detective
Nicole Pettis Court crier Robin
James Pickens Jr. Richard Webber Richard Webber
Amy Pietz Isabelle Sharon Remini
Ellen Pompeo Meredith Grey Meredith Grey
Adina Porter Dr. Ramsey Stacy Hatcher FBI Agent Emily Clark
Sally Pressman Young Dr. Ellis Grey Candace Marcus Stephanie Duncan
Josh Randall William Carl Captain. Sean Beckett
Medalion Rahimi Princess Zara Al-Salim Princess Isabella
Ben Rappaport Seth Oliver Billy McFarland
Dalila Ali Rajah Leanne Judy
Jill Remez April's examiner Lucinda Blair
Ron Roggé Fire captain Detective Paul Reed
Cristine Rose Mrs. Freedman Judge Wenona Sansbury
Jeffrey D. Sams Andre Barrett District Attorney
Caterina Scorsone Amelia Shepherd Amelia Shepherd
Kelsey Scott Karen Rose
Ben Shenkman Rob Harmon Roger Gunn
Samantha Sloyan Penelope "Penny" Blake ER Nurse Jeannine Locke
Anna Deavere Smith Tina Krissman Maud
Cornelius Smith Jr. Marcus Walker Marcus Walker
Stefania Spampinato Carina DeLuca Carina DeLuca
Lauren Stamile Nurse Rose Carla Steele
Darby Stanchfield Tess Milford Abby Whelan
Cynthia Stevenson Ruthie Carlin Karen Charlene Mary Nesbitt
Anthony Stewart Head Lord Silvestro Capulet Lord Sheffield
Patrick St. Esprit Peter Foster Phillip Thompson
Faran Tahir Isaac Charles President Rashad Detective Terrence Amos
BJ Tanner Tuck Jones Tuck Jones
Adria Tennor Dr. Berman Brenda Swan Susan Womack
Tessa Thompson Camille Travis Zoe Salter Sydney
Tamlyn Tomita Katie's lawyer Judge Carol Morrow
Jamie Tompkins Female corporate executive Tammi Ingram
Mageina Tovah Rebecca Hobart Molly Ackerman Jolene Samuels
Brett Tucker Dr. Jonah Simpson Fire Chief Lucas Ripley
Jim Turner Dr. Schacter George Gabler
Nia Vardalos Karen Leah Wells
Tom Verica Michael Norris Co-executive producer Sam Keating Executive producer Executive producer
Tracy Vilar Becca McMurdo Prosecutor Barker Lydia Perez
Sonya Walger Katherine Winslow Margot Bishop
Kate Walsh Addison Montgomery
Nick Warnock SWAT Guy #2 Attorney Trent Stockton
Kerry Washington Olivia Pope Olivia Pope
Derek Webster Paul Anderson Dr. Richard Watkins
Liza Weil Alison Clark Andi Amanda Tanner Bonnie Winterbottom
Michael Welch Officer Newton Teddy Seavers
Wayne Wilderson Bill Adams Neil Denhom Eastham
Chandra Wilson Miranda Bailey Miranda Bailey Miranda Bailey
Bellamy Young Kathy Melody "Mellie" Grant
José Zuñiga Anthony Meloy Julio General Benicio Flores Jorge Castillo

References edit

  1. ^ Lebeau, Jordan (September 22, 2014). "The Angry Black Women of Shondaland: What The New York Times (and Slate) Got Wrong". The Boston Globe. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
  2. ^ Abrams, Natalie (August 21, 2014). "See how ABC is promoting Shonda Rhimes' Thursday takeover". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  3. ^ Poggi, Jeanine (May 16, 2016). "TV Upfront: Any Given Thursday: ABC May Not Have the NFL As It Heads to the Upfront, But It's Got Shonda Rhimes". Advertising Age. Vol. 87, no. 10. pp. 14–17.
  4. ^ McFarland, Melanie. "On TV: Thursday night throwdown". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  5. ^ Moore, Frazier. "Shonda Rhimes Lays Claim To Thursday Nights On ABC". Associated Press. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  6. ^ Swift, Andy (February 10, 2017). "Grey's Anatomy, Scandal and HTGAWM Renewed for 2017–18 Season". TVLine. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  7. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (October 19, 2012). "Shonda Rhimes Announces Private Practice End Date, Calls Decision 'Heartbreaking'". TVLine. Retrieved October 19, 2012.
  8. ^ "ABC: 'V' Cancelled, 'Brothers & Sisters,' 'Mr. Sunshine,' 'Detroit 187,' 'Off The Map,' 'No Ordinary Family,' 'Better With You' Cancelled Too". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. May 13, 2011. Archived from the original on February 13, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  9. ^ Stanhope, Kate; Goldberg, Lesley; O'Connell, Michael (May 11, 2017). "ABC Cancels 'American Crime,' 'Dr. Ken,' 'Imaginary Mary,' 'Secrets and Lies,' 'The Catch, 'The Real O'Neals'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  10. ^ Nemetz, Dave (June 22, 2017). "Still Star-Crossed Essentially Cancelled as ABC Banishes Drama to Saturdays". TVLine. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  11. ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (May 11, 2017). "ABC Greenlights Shondaland Show, Zach Braff Comedy, Freddie Highmore Medical Drama, Three More Series". Variety. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  12. ^ Mason, Charlie (May 9, 2019). "For the People Cancelled at ABC". TVLine. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  13. ^ "ABC Announces a Special TGIT Event with 'How to Get Away with Murder' and 'Scandal' Crossover Episodes". www.disneyabcpress.com. Archived from the original on 4 January 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  14. ^ Faircloth, Kelly. "Shondaland.com Has Arrived". Jezebel. Retrieved 2017-12-08.
  15. ^ Abulaban, Dana (2018-04-16). "Making Television Great Again: A "ShondaLand" Specialty". Medium. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
  16. ^ "Season 6: June 18-24, 2020. | SeriesFest". SeriesFest | Season 6: June 18–24, 2020. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
  17. ^ "Shonda Rhimes' Shondaland Partners With SeriesFest for Female-Director Initiative". Variety. 2018-11-29. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
  18. ^ Romero, Ariana. "If You've Always Wanted To Direct". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
  19. ^ "Season 6: June 18-24, 2020. | SeriesFest". SeriesFest | Season 6: June 18–24, 2020. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
  20. ^ SeriesFest: Season 5 | Shondaland 2.0, retrieved 2020-01-12
  21. ^ Turchiano, Danielle (2020-04-17). "SeriesFest Renews Partnership With Shondaland, Introduces Executive Elevation Mentorship Program (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
  22. ^ "Shondaland Partners With iHeartMedia to Launch Shondaland Audio". www.nasdaq.com. Retrieved 2020-01-12.

External links edit

  • Official website
  • Shondaland.com