The Business
For 'The Americans' showrunners, collaboration is key
Writer-producers Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields had never even met before they were teamed up to work on the FX spy series The Americans. What started as a blind date, of sorts, led to a creative friendship and one of the most critically acclaimed dramas on cable. Now Fields and Weisberg, as well as the stars of their show, are Emmy nominated for the series' fourth season.
By Michael Schneider • • 29m ListenWhen executive producers Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields first met and started working on the FX series The Americans, they were shocked at the similarities in their working styles and creative vision. They have quite different backgrounds -- Weisberg worked for the CIA and Fields is a playwright who wrote dozens of TV movies. They say the success of the show comes from their ability to be open to ideas, both from each other, and the actors, directors, casting pros, wardrobe designers, location scouts and even Russian consultants who work on The Americans.
Photo: (L-R) Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields. (Jeffrey Neira/FX)
