As we close the book on the 2019 broadcast pilot season, largely overshadowed by the WGA-ATA standoff, here is Deadline’s annual honor roll of those who excelled at the 2019 upfronts. The list includes writers/producers/pods who scored at least one new series at the upfronts and have multiple scripted shows.
Berlanti Prods. went 3-for-3 with their pilots, landing series orders for Prodigal Son, starring Michael Sheen and Tom Payne, at Fox and Batwoman, headlined by Ruby Rose, and Katy Keene, starring Lucy Hale, at the CW. The company, which Greg Berlanti runs with President Sarah Schechter, also saw all of its current broadcast series being renewed (decision on CBS’ The Red Line, which is being billed as a limited series, is still pending.) The company’s tally is a record 18 series (including Red Line). Additionally, Warner Bros. TV-based Berlanti Prods. controls more than half of the CW’s scripted roster with nine of the network’s 17 shows and provides all programming for three consecutive nights on the CW fall schedule, Sunday-Tuesday.
