Michael Wright(XI)
- Producer
- Executive
Michael Wright is President of MGM Scripted Television and President of EPIX. In his dual roles, he oversees MGM Scripted Television's development and production of scripted programming, growing the television content slate MGM produces for distribution around the world, and is responsible for overseeing all facets of the rapidly growing premium network EPIX, including expanding its slate of original programming, growing distribution and leading creative and marketing efforts.
Under Wright's leadership, EPIX has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past few years, rebranding and refocusing the platform from a movieplex service to a full premium platform with upgraded theatrical content, originals series, and now original films. He has worked to expand EPIX's linear distribution, launched a direct-to-consumer platform more than doubling subscribers, while also creating EPIX Studios to produce series for the platform. EPIX Studios has completed production on two series, including Bridge and Tunnel from filmmaker Ed Burns, and Chapelwaite starring Adrien Brody and Emily Hampshire. Chapelwaite marks Wright's third collaboration with Stephen King, whose short story is the basis for the series. Wright has recruited remarkable talent to the platform to create a slate of acclaimed cinematic original series that have dramatically increased EPIX awareness and reach, including the Emmy winning Godfather of Harlem starring Forest Whitaker from the creators of Narcos, the acclaimed music docuseries Laurel Canyon and Punk, and the critical hit Belgravia from Julian Fellows and the producers of Downton Abbey.
Additionally, Wright partnered with DC to develop Pennyworth, developed and produced Slow Burn, based on Leon Neyfakhs award-winning podcast of the same title, brought NFL Films and their legendary brand to EPIX with NFL: The Grind, worked with Greg Berlanti's company to create Helter Skelter: An American Myth, the definitive documentary about the Manson murders, and produced by Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem with Forest Whitaker's production company. Other series launched by Wright include Enslaved with Sam Jackson and Perpetual Grace, Ltd, starring Academy Award® winner Ben Kingsley. In addition, Wright developed and acquired Condor, as well as the series War of The Worlds, Deep State, Britannia, and several premium docuseries, including the upcoming Fiasco and Fall River, from Blumhouse Films.
Prior to joining EPIX, Wright was the Chief Executive Officer of Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks Pictures and Amblin Pictures, the latter which he helped launch in 2015. Under Wright's management, the company released the hit films The Girl on the Train, Office Christmas Party and A Dog's Purpose, and prepared films The Post, Ready Player One, and The House with a Clock in its Walls, starring Jack Black and Cate Blanchett. Prior to joining DreamWorks Studios in 2014, Wright was President, Head of Programming for TBS, TNT, and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). During Wright's tenure at Turner, he led TNT and TBS to the top of the cable charts for 10 straight years. Wright programmed some of the biggest hits on cable television, with commercial and award-winning success across all the networks, including the record setting and acclaimed series The Closer, Into the West, Southland, Men of a Certain Age and Falling Skies for TNT, and Conan, My Boys, Cougar Town and Angie Tribeca for TBS. For TCM, Wright oversaw the development and production of the Emmy nominated documentary Moguls and Movie Stars: The History of Hollywood, the acclaimed TCM: A Night at the Movies franchise, and the Emmy winning AFI: Lifetime Achievement Award specials.
Wright is part of the Television Academy Foundation and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the AFI. He also serves on the Executive Board of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television.
Wright resides in La Canada, CA with his wife and children.
Under Wright's leadership, EPIX has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past few years, rebranding and refocusing the platform from a movieplex service to a full premium platform with upgraded theatrical content, originals series, and now original films. He has worked to expand EPIX's linear distribution, launched a direct-to-consumer platform more than doubling subscribers, while also creating EPIX Studios to produce series for the platform. EPIX Studios has completed production on two series, including Bridge and Tunnel from filmmaker Ed Burns, and Chapelwaite starring Adrien Brody and Emily Hampshire. Chapelwaite marks Wright's third collaboration with Stephen King, whose short story is the basis for the series. Wright has recruited remarkable talent to the platform to create a slate of acclaimed cinematic original series that have dramatically increased EPIX awareness and reach, including the Emmy winning Godfather of Harlem starring Forest Whitaker from the creators of Narcos, the acclaimed music docuseries Laurel Canyon and Punk, and the critical hit Belgravia from Julian Fellows and the producers of Downton Abbey.
Additionally, Wright partnered with DC to develop Pennyworth, developed and produced Slow Burn, based on Leon Neyfakhs award-winning podcast of the same title, brought NFL Films and their legendary brand to EPIX with NFL: The Grind, worked with Greg Berlanti's company to create Helter Skelter: An American Myth, the definitive documentary about the Manson murders, and produced by Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem with Forest Whitaker's production company. Other series launched by Wright include Enslaved with Sam Jackson and Perpetual Grace, Ltd, starring Academy Award® winner Ben Kingsley. In addition, Wright developed and acquired Condor, as well as the series War of The Worlds, Deep State, Britannia, and several premium docuseries, including the upcoming Fiasco and Fall River, from Blumhouse Films.
Prior to joining EPIX, Wright was the Chief Executive Officer of Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks Pictures and Amblin Pictures, the latter which he helped launch in 2015. Under Wright's management, the company released the hit films The Girl on the Train, Office Christmas Party and A Dog's Purpose, and prepared films The Post, Ready Player One, and The House with a Clock in its Walls, starring Jack Black and Cate Blanchett. Prior to joining DreamWorks Studios in 2014, Wright was President, Head of Programming for TBS, TNT, and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). During Wright's tenure at Turner, he led TNT and TBS to the top of the cable charts for 10 straight years. Wright programmed some of the biggest hits on cable television, with commercial and award-winning success across all the networks, including the record setting and acclaimed series The Closer, Into the West, Southland, Men of a Certain Age and Falling Skies for TNT, and Conan, My Boys, Cougar Town and Angie Tribeca for TBS. For TCM, Wright oversaw the development and production of the Emmy nominated documentary Moguls and Movie Stars: The History of Hollywood, the acclaimed TCM: A Night at the Movies franchise, and the Emmy winning AFI: Lifetime Achievement Award specials.
Wright is part of the Television Academy Foundation and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the AFI. He also serves on the Executive Board of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television.
Wright resides in La Canada, CA with his wife and children.
