Tensions rise across Paramount Global as veteran casting executive Deborah Aquila, EVP and Head of Casting for streaming series at CBS Studios, exits the company amid sweeping layoffs. Aquila, alongside four other casting team members—from coordinator to VP level—were among those affected as the conglomerate trims 3.5% of its global workforce.
Another notable departure this week is Nick Bernstein, SVP of Late Night Programming, West Coast. His exit coincides with the conclusion of After Midnight, airing its final episode on June 12. Unlike Aquila’s departure, Bernstein’s is unrelated to the layoffs, though it still contributes to departmental downsizing.
Aquila, who joined Paramount TV Studios in 2020, expanded her role in 2023 to oversee casting for both CBS Studios and Paramount TV Studios. Following the closure of Paramount TV Studios in August, her focus shifted toward casting for streaming titles like Star Trek, Happy Face, and Netflix’s Little House on the Prairie reboot.
As part of a broader effort to streamline operations, Claudia Lyon, EVP and Head of Casting for CBS, will now oversee all casting—both broadcast and streaming—for CBS Studios. She reports to CBS Studios President David Stapf and CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach.
Layoffs at Paramount also extend to divisions including Comedy Central, MTV, Kids and Family Animation, and Consumer Products. According to an internal memo by co-CEOs George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, and Brian Robbins, these changes are necessary to adapt to the evolving media landscape and continued decline in linear television revenue.
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Over her 40-year career, Aquila has become a respected figure in casting, with credits on award-winning films such as CODA and La La Land. She has served as SVP of Casting for Paramount Pictures and collaborated with Tricia Wood on numerous successful projects.
Meanwhile, Nick Bernstein leaves behind a legacy of comedic contributions during his tenure with The Late Late Show with James Corden, and more recently, with After Midnight. CBS plans to replace its late-night slot with reruns of Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen.
These high-level exits mark a significant shift for CBS and its parent company, as the network restructures for a streaming-first future.
