Gary Lennon

Gary Lennon
Occupation(s)Playwright, Television writer, producer, director, showrunner
Years active1991–present

Gary Lennon is an American playwright, television writer and executive producer.[1][2] Lennon is currently the showrunner of Power Book IV: Force on Starz, and he is credited with elevating the series to critical acclaim after he stepped into the role in its second season.[3] Lennon is also reported to be working on expanding the Power universe to additional spinoffs in his overall development deal with Lionsgate Television.[4] Lennon was previously the co-showrunner of Power and Hightown, both for Starz and Lionsgate.[5][6] He is also an executive producer on Euphoria for HBO.[7] In 2013, Lennon won a Peabody Award for the first season of Orange is the New Black along with his fellow writers and producers.[8]

Early life

Lennon grew up in Hell's Kitchen. He was orphaned by age 11, he dropped out of high school, and he did not attend college.[9]

Career

Lennon began his career as an aspiring actor. He studied under Geraldine Page, who encouraged him to write about his own life. Lennon compiled his monologues to create his first play, Blackout.[10][11] After being rejected by the Circle Repertory Company as a young playwright, Lennon left one of his plays backstage at a theater attended by Marshall W. Mason, the founder of the company. Mason read the play that Lennon had addressed to him, and set him up on his first meetings.[9]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result
2011 Peabody Awards Peabody Award [12] Justified Won
2011 WGA Awards WGA Award [12] Won
2011 Critics' Choice Awards Television Award [12] Nominated
2011 AFI Awards AFI Award Honoree for Television Program of the Year [12] Won
2013 WGA Awards WGA Award [12] Orange Is the New Black Nominated
2014 Emmy Awards Outstanding Comedy Series[12] Nominated
2014 Peabody Awards Peabody Award [12] Won
2015 PGA Awards Danny Thomas Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television - Comedy[12] Won
2018 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Drama Series [13] Power Won
2019 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Drama Series [13] Won

References

  1. ^ McClain, James (2019-04-29). "'Power' Showrunner Gary Lennon Buys in Los Feliz, Lists in Mid-Wilshire". Variety. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  2. ^ "Author Q&A: Gary Lennon, "A Family Thing"". 2013-03-19. Retrieved 2019-05-13 – via Write On Online.
  3. ^ Tinubu, Aramide (2023-08-31). "Starz's 'Power Book IV: Force' Is Transformed in Season 2 by a Ruthless Performance From Joseph Sikora: TV Review". Variety. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  4. ^ Cordero, Rosy (2024-03-11). "'Power Book IV: Force' Showrunner Gary Lennon Extends Lionsgate Television Deal". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  5. ^ Patten, Dominic (2018-07-11). "Gary Lennon Upped To 'Power' Co-Showrunner For Season 6". Deadline. Retrieved 2018-04-01.
  6. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2017-11-27). "Heroin Epidemic Drama 'P-Town' In Works At Starz From 'Gotham' Alum, 'Power' EP & Jerry Bruckheimer TV". Deadline. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  7. ^ Porter, Rick (2018-07-30). "HBO Orders 'Euphoria' to Series, Drake Joins as Executive Producer". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  8. ^ "Orange is the New Black (Netflix)". Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  9. ^ a b Miller, Kam. "Hells Kitchen Kid To Hollywood Baller". Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  10. ^ Margolies, Dany. "To Tell The Truth". Arts in LA. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  11. ^ Nichols, David C. (2003-04-25). "'Blackout' explores culture of sobriety". LA Times. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h Petski, Denise (2017-05-12). "'Power' EP Gary Lennon Inks Overall Deal With Starz". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  13. ^ a b Patten, Dominic (2019-07-06). "'Power' Final Season Trailer: "This Is War" As Starz Drama Intends To Go Out With A Big Bang & A "Final Betrayal"". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-05-03.