12. Made for TV
From “Grey’s Anatomy” to “Scandal,” Shonda Rhimes has revolutionized prime-time casting and diversified the pool behind the scenes. (Photo credit: Shonda Rhimes)
Shonda Rhimes, the award-winning executive producer and creator of “Grey’s Anatomy,” spinoff “Private Practice” and “Scandal,” is rewriting the script on both sides of the camera. A proponent of colorblind casting and multidimensional roles, especially for women, she has helped to boost the star power of actors like Kerry Washington. Through Shondaland, her production company with Betsy Beers, she’s widening the talent pool behind the scenes, resulting in new ABC pilots for a comedy and a legal thriller. Rhimes recently pulled out the director’s chair for Debbie Allen on the set of “Grey’s Anatomy,” now in its 10th season, and Sundance winner Ava Duvernay for a cliffhanging episode of “Scandal,” which averages 12.5 million viewers a week — a 50 percent jump from last year. One fan tweeted that Rhimes is spiking her blood pressure with nail (and skin) biters. Rhimes also wrote the 2004 Disney film Princess Diaries 2: A Royal Engagement and co-wrote Halle Berry’s dream project, Introducing Dorothy Dandridge. An avid reader who loves a good story, Rhimes is working on her memoir. It should be a page-turner — even without scandals.
