Showtime’s scripted content is a crown jewel of the network. Thanks to former film executive Israel’s knack for eyeing magnetic storytelling and wooing top talent, it continues to shine brightly. “Black Monday,” starring Don Cheadle, “City on a Hill,” starring Kevin Bacon, and limited series “The Loudest Voice,” starring Russell Crowe, are among recent high points, as are “The L Word” sequel and new seasons of recurring hits. “Showtime is a company that has an extraordinary number of women running departments—our president of entertainment, general counsel, business affairs, scripted programming, casting, and communications, to name just a few,” she says. “With women holding top positions, the next generation of women at Showtime can see themselves not only reflected above them, but they also have fierce advocates in their corner who help mentor and guide them on their journey.”
What specifically does your company do to support and elevate the women who work there?
Showtime is a company that has an extraordinary number of women running departments—our president of entertainment, general counsel, business affairs, scripted programming, casting, and communications (to name just a few) are all steered by women. With women holding top positions, the next generation of women at Showtime can see themselves not only reflected above them, but they also have fierce advocates in their corner who help mentor and guide them on their journey. I take great pride in the fact that we have a number of women in my department who started off as assistants and interns and are now successful executives thriving at Showtime.
What advice would you give your 13 year old self?
Take risks and don’t be afraid to fail. Your will, work ethic, passions, curiosity, and big heart will become your greatest strengths so continue to cultivate them. Most importantly, don’t waste your time stressing about the things you can’t control (or that you let your friends cut off all your hair—it will eventually grow back!)
Which current shows best reflects the kinds of women’s roles you like to see and why?
Showtime prides itself on having characters in our shows who feel authentic, complicated (if sometimes messy), audacious and deeply human. To that end, I am partial to all of our female characters and it’s too difficult to pick just one (or even attempt to list them all) as they all feel undeniable—from Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) in “Homeland” to Helen Solloway (Maura Tierney) in “The Affair,” who are both achingly human and fierce; to Krystal Stubbs (Kirsten Dunst) in “On Becoming a God in Central Florida,” Wendy Rhoades (Maggie Siff) in “Billions” and Dawn Darcy (Regina Hall) in “Black Monday,” all are tenacious, unapologetically ambitious and hilarious. Our upcoming shows also feature phenomenal female characters the world is sure to fall in love with like Abby McEnany in “Work in Progress,” Miri Matteson (Daisy Haggard) in “Back to Life” and the fierce tribe of humans in “The L Word: Generation Q.”
