In a recent Gold Derby roundtable titled “Meet the Experts: TV Directors”, four of television’s top creative minds came together to discuss their beginnings, future aspirations, and the filmmakers who influenced them. The panel featured:
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Peter Berg (American Primeval)
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Charlotte Brändström (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power)
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John Requa and Glenn Ficarra (Paradise)
Each director brought a unique perspective shaped by years of experience across different genres, languages, and platforms.
Charlotte Brändström: From Anthropology to Epic Fantasy
Brändström began her career in documentary filmmaking, with a special focus on wildlife. After studying anthropology, she attended the American Film Institute in Los Angeles, eventually transitioning into fiction films.
“I started doing short films and got more and more interested in directing,” she shared. “My first feature, Stormy Summer, was a French World War II drama about love and betrayal. I won an award for it, and from that moment, I knew I wanted to direct for the rest of my life.”
Brändström has since directed in French, Swedish, and English, a feat Peter Berg praised, joking, “You speak better English than I do.”
Peter Berg: From TV Star to Visionary Director
Peter Berg’s turning point came while acting in Chicago Hope, a medical drama created by David E. Kelley. While enjoying rising fame as Dr. Billy Kronk, a fan mistook him for a real doctor and asked for medical advice on a flight. That surreal moment pushed him toward directing.
“I realized my legacy was about to become a fake doctor,” Berg recalled. “That, more than anything, motivated me to take directing seriously.”
He went on to write and direct his first feature film, Very Bad Things (1998), with Kelley’s blessing.
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Glenn Ficarra & John Requa: The Long Road to Directing
Ficarra and Requa have collaborated since meeting in film school during the 1980s. Both started making Super 8 movies independently before teaming up as writers and eventually directors. Ficarra credits Requa for helping him grow as a writer, while Requa says reading Akira Kurosawa’s autobiography inspired him to focus on screenwriting before directing.
“I put down my director pants and put on my writer pants,” Requa said. “It took me 20 years to figure it out.”
The duo shared their struggles with modern TV production, especially after working on Rabbit Hole for Paramount.
“Writing, producing, and directing a series almost killed me,” Ficarra admitted. “I can’t imagine juggling multiple shows.”
They also joked about the frustrations of seeing others mishandle their scripts.
“Someone told us, ‘If you’re tired of directors messing up your work, go mess it up yourself.’ So we did.”
A Shared Passion for Storytelling
Throughout the discussion, one theme was clear: these directors are passionate storytellers who have overcome unique challenges. Whether starting with documentaries, acting, or writing, each found their path through persistence, education, and inspiration.
The panel, presented by Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney/Hulu, offers aspiring filmmakers a rare glimpse into the personal journeys behind some of television’s most ambitious productions.
