Best TV Directors of the 21st Century (So Far)
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Must have directed episodes in 3 or more shows
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- Writer
- Director
George Vincent Gilligan Jr. (born February 10, 1967) is an American writer, producer, and director. He is known for his television work, specifically as creator, head writer, executive producer, and director of Breaking Bad and its spin-off Better Call Saul. He was a writer and producer for The X-Files and was the co-creator of its spin-off The Lone Gunmen.
Both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul have received widespread critical acclaim, with Gilligan winning two Primetime Emmy Awards, six Writers Guild of America Awards, two Critics' Choice Television Awards and Producers Guild of America Awards, one Directors Guild of America Award and a BAFTA. Outside of television, he co-wrote the screenplay for the 2008 film Hancock.
Gilligan was born in Richmond, Virginia, the son of Gail, a grade school teacher, and George Vincent Gilligan Sr., an insurance claims adjuster. His parents divorced in 1974 and he and his younger brother, Patrick, were raised in Farmville and Chesterfield County, and attended the laboratory school run by Longwood College. Growing up, Gilligan became best friends with future film editor and film title designer Angus Wall. His interest in film began when Wall's mother, Jackie, who also taught alongside Gilligan's mother, would lend her Super 8 film cameras to him. He used the camera to make science fiction films with Patrick. One of his first films was entitled Space Wreck, starring his brother in the lead role. One year later, he won first prize for his age group in a film competition at the University of Virginia.
Jackie would take Wall and Gilligan to Richmond and drop them off at Cloverleaf Mall to see films, and encourage both of them to pursue a career in the arts. "I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for Jackie. She was a wonderful lady and a real inspiration," he recalls. Gilligan was recognized for his talents and creativity at an early age. George Sr. described him as a "kind of a studious-type young man, and he liked to read, and he had a vivid imagination". He introduced Gilligan to film noir classics, as well as John Wayne and Clint Eastwood Westerns on late-night television. Gilligan won a scholarship to attend the prestigious Interlochen Center for the Arts. After eighth grade, he moved back to Chesterfield to attend high school.
After graduating from Lloyd C. Bird High School in 1985, Gilligan went on to attend NYU's Tisch School of the Arts on a scholarship, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in film production. While at NYU, he wrote the screenplay for Home Fries; Gilligan received the Virginia Governor's Screenwriting Award in 1989 for the screenplay, which was later turned into a film. One of the judges of the competition was Mark Johnson, a film producer. He was impressed by Gilligan, saying he "was the most imaginative writer I'd ever read".9.295
Best Episodes:
"Felina" Breaking Bad 9.9/10 "Face Off" Breaking Bad 9.8/10 "Full Measure" Breaking Bad 9.6/10- Director
- Producer
- Art Department
Miguel Sapochnik was born in July 1974 in Hammersmith, London, England, UK. He is a director and producer, known for Game of Thrones (2011), Repo Men (2010) and Finch (2021). He has been married to Alexis Raben since 2006.9.210
Best Episodes:
"Battle of the Bastards" Game of Thrones 9.9/10 "The Winds of Winter" Game of Thrones 9.9/10 "Hardhome" Game of Thrones 9.9/10- Producer
- Director
- Writer
9.070
Best Episodes:
"The Lion and the Rose" Game of Thrones 9.7/10 "The Mountain and the Viper" Game of Thrones 9.7/10 "The Children" Game of Thrones 9.7/10- Producer
- Director
- Production Manager
Michelle MacLaren was born in Canada. Michelle is a producer and director, known for Breaking Bad (2008), Game of Thrones (2011) and Shining Girls (2022).8.973
Best Episodes:
"To'Hajiilee" Breaking Bad 9.7/10 "Gliding Over All" Breaking Bad 9.5/10 "Salud" Breaking Bad 9.5/10- Director
- Producer
- Editor
David Nutter was born in 1960 in the USA. He is a director and producer, known for Game of Thrones (2011), The Pacific (2010) and Space: Above and Beyond (1995). He was previously married to Birgit Nutter.8.972
Best Episodes:
"The Rains of Castamere" Game of Thrones 9.9/10 "The Dance of Dragons" Game of Thrones 9.5/10 "There's the Rub" Shameless 9.3/10- Director
- Producer
- Writer
Alan Taylor is an American film and television director from San Francisco known for directing episodes of HBO shows such as The Sopranos, Deadwood, Game of Thrones, and Sex in the City. He directed the feature films Thor: The Dark World, Palookaville, The Emperor's New Clothes, The Many Saints of Newark, and Terminator Genisys.8.939
Best Episodes:
"Baelor" Game of Thrones 9.6/10 "Fire and Blood" Game of Thrones 9.5/10 "Valar Morghulis" Game of Thrones 9.4/10- Director
- Producer
- Writer
Adam Bernstein began his career as an animator, and at age 26 produced the first original programming for the Nickelodeon Network. He went on to direct over seventy music videos, including "Love Shack" for the B-52's, "Hey Ladies" for the Beastie Boys and "Baby's Got Back" for Sir Mix a Lot. In addition to the pilots for "Fargo" "30 Rock" "Scrubs" "Alpha House" and "Strangers with Candy," Adam has directed multiple episodes of "Oz" and "Breaking Bad." He is the recipient of a Golden Globe (Fargo) an Emmy Award (30 Rock), an MTV Award (Love Shack), a Peabody Award (Homicide - Life on the Street), and a Good Citizenship Medal from the Daughters of the American Revolution (1973). He lives in New York City with his wife, the actress Jessica Hecht.8.928
Best Episodes:
"Half Measures" Breaking Bad 9.5/10 "Five-O" Better Call Saul 9.5/10 "Toast Can't Never Be Bread Again" 9.5/10- Director
- Producer
- Cinematographer
Alik Sakharov was born on 17 May 1959 in Tashkent, USSR. He is a director and producer, known for Ozark (2017), House of Cards (2013) and Game of Thrones (2011).8.890
Best Episodes:
"The Laws of Gods and Men" Game of Thrones 9.7/10 "XXVIII." Black Sails 9.7/10 "Mockingbird" Game of Thrones 9.2/10- Producer
- Director
- Writer
Neil Marshall was born on 25 May 1970 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, UK. He is a producer and director, known for Dog Soldiers (2002), The Descent (2005) and Doomsday (2008). He was previously married to Axelle Carolyn.8.874
Best Episodes:
"Blackwater" Game of Thrones 9.7/10 "The Watchers on the Wall" Game of Thrones 9.6/10 "The Great Red Dragon" Hannibal 9.0/10- Producer
- Writer
- Director
Joss Whedon is the middle of five brothers - his younger brothers are Jed Whedon and Zack Whedon. Both his father, Tom Whedon and his grandfather, John Whedon were successful television writers. Joss' mother, Lee Stearns, was a history teacher and she also wrote novels as Lee Whedon. Whedon was raised in New York and was educated at Riverdale Country School, where his mother also taught. He also attended Winchester College in England for two years, before graduating with a film degree from Wesleyan University.
After relocating to Los Angeles, Whedon landed his first TV writing job on "Roseanne", and moved on to script a season of "Parenthood". He then developed a film script which went on to become Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992). Whedon was very unhappy with the final film - his original script was extensively re-written and made lighter in tone. After this he earned screenwriting credits on such high profile productions as Alien: Resurrection (1997) and Toy Story (1995), for which he was Oscar nominated. He also worked as a 'script doctor' on various features, notably Speed (1994).
In 1997, Whedon had the opportunity to resurrect his character Buffy in a television series on The WB Network. This time, as showrunner and executive producer, he retained full artistic control. The series, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" was a popular and critical hit, which ran for several seasons, the last two on UPN. Whedon also produced a spin-off series, "Angel", which was also successful. A foray in to sci-fi television followed with "Firefly", which developed a cult following, but did not stay on air long. It did find an audience on DVD and through re-runs, and a spin-off feature film Serenity (2005) was released in 2005.
Other projects have included comic book writing, the sci-fi drama "Dollhouse" and the screenplay for Marvel blockbuster The Avengers (2012).8.872
Best Episodes:
"Once More, with Feeling" Buffy the Vampire Slayer 9.8/10 "The Body" Buffy the Vampire Slayer 9.7/10 "The Gift" Buffy the Vampire Slayer 9.6/10- Director
- Producer
- Editor
Frederick E.O. Toye was born on 26 September 1967 in Los Angeles, California, USA. Frederick E.O. is a director and producer, known for The Boys (2019), Watchmen (2019) and The Terminal List (2022).8.854
Best Episodes:
"The Crossing" Person of Interest 9.8/10 "The Day the World Went Away" Person of Interest 9.8/10 "Asylum" Person of Interest 9.7/10- Producer
- Director
- Additional Crew
Mark Mylod is known for Succession (2018), Game of Thrones (2011) and Shameless (2011). He is married to Amy Westcott. They have four children.8.849
Best Episodes:
"Lazarus" Shameless 9.6/10 "Survival of the Fittest" 9.3/10 "The Queen's Justice" Game of Thrones 9.3/10- Producer
- Director
- Actor
Jack Bender was born on 25 September 1949 in the USA. He is a producer and director, known for Lost (2004), From (2022) and Alias (2001). He is married to Laura Owens. They have two children.8.833
Best Episodes:
"The Door" Game of Thrones 9.7/10 "The Constant" Lost 9.7/10 "Through the Looking Glass" Lost 9.7/10- Director
- Producer
- Actor
Matt Shakman was born on 8 August 1975. He is a director and producer, known for WandaVision (2021), Game of Thrones (2011) and The Great (2020). He has been married to Maggie Malone since 8 October 2012. They have one child.8.830
Best Episodes:
"The Spoils of War" Game of Thrones 9.8/10 "Charlie Work" It's Always Sunny in Philapelphia 9.6/10 "Morton's Fork" Fargo 9.4/10- Hettie Macdonald was born on 22 June 1962 in Pancras, London, England, UK. She is a director, known for Beautiful Thing (1996), Doctor Who (2005) and Howards End (2017).8.828
Best Episodes:
"Blink" Doctor Who 9.8/10 "Curtain: Poirot's Last Case" Agatha Christie's Poirot 8.7/10 "The Magician's Apprentice" Doctor Who 8.7/10 - Director
- Producer
Paul is a Bafta and Emmy nominated director known for Sherlock, Lucky Number Slevin, Inside Man and Film Stars Don't Die In Liverpool. Born in Bellshill, Scotland he started his professional life as a photographer and then documentary filmmaker. His first film was Acid House in 1998 which is an adaptation of Irvine Welsh short stories collection.8.808
Best Episodes:
"A Scandal in Belgravia" Sherlock 9.5/10 "The Great Game" Sherlock 9.2/10 "A Study in Pink" Sherlock 9.1/10- Producer
- Director
- Writer
Daniel Minahan is known for Series 7: The Contenders (2001), Game of Thrones (2011) and American Crime Story (2016).8.760
Best Episodes:
"You Win or You Die" Game of Thrones 9.3/10 "Big Man in Tehran" Homeland 9.3/10 "A Golden Crown" Game of Thrones 9.2/10- Director
- Producer
- Writer
David Slade was born on 26 September 1969 in the UK. He is a director and producer, known for Hard Candy (2005), The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010) and 30 Days of Night (2007).8.736
Best Episodes:
"Mizumono" Hannibal 9.9/10 "Savoureux" Hannibal 9.3/10 "Ko No Mono" Hannibal 9.1/10- Cinematographer
- Producer
- Director
Michael Slovis was born in New York City, New York, USA. He is known for Breaking Bad (2008), New Amsterdam (2018) and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000).8.732
Best Episodes:
"Confessions" Breaking Bad 9.6/10 "Live Free or Die" Breaking Bad 9.2/10 "Thank You" The Walking Dead 9.2/10- Director
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Jeremy Podeswa is an award winning feature film and television director who has been nominated four times for the Best Director Emmy, for HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" and "Game of Thrones" (twice), and for the Tom Hanks/ Steven Spielberg produced "The Pacific". He has also been nominated four times for the Directors Guild of America Award.
He has also recently directed episodes of "3 Body Problem" (Netflix), from the creators of GoT, and "The New Look" (Apple) starring Juliette Binoche. And he was Executive Producer and Director on the HBOMax limited series "Station Eleven" earning a Directors Guild of America nomination. The show was nominated for 7 Emmy Awards.
He has directed for many of the most ground breaking cable television series and mini-series, including for HULU "The Handmaid's Tale"; for HBO, "Game of Thrones", "True Detective", "The Newsroom", "Here and Now", "Boardwalk Empire", "True Blood", "Rome", "Six Feet Under", "Carnivale" and "The Pacific"; for Apple "The Mosquito Coast" and "The New Look"; for Showtime, "The Loudest Voice", "On Becoming a God in Central Florida", "Homeland", "Ray Donovan", "The Borgias", "The Tudors", "Dexter", "Weeds", "Queer as Folk", "The L Word"; for AMC "The Walking Dead"; for F/X "American Horror Story: Asylum and Coven"; and for TNT the mini-series "Into the West" (produced by Steven Spielberg and nominated for 16 Emmy Awards).
Other credits include the television movie "After the Harvest", starring Sam Shepard, winner of the Directors Guild of Canada Award for Best Direction.
He has also written and directed three award winning feature films: Fugitive Pieces (Samuel Goldwyn Films, Opening Night, Toronto International Film Festival) starring Stephen Dillane and Rosamund Pike; The Five Senses (Fine Line Distribution, Directors' Fortnight, Cannes Film Festival) starring Mary Louise Parker; and Eclipse (Berlin and Sundance Festivals).8.730
Best Episodes:
"The Wolf and the Dragon" Game of Thrones 9.6/10 "Home" Game of Thrones 9.5/10 "A Man, a Plan..." Boardwalk Empire 9.1/10- Director
- Producer
- Stunts
Steve Boyum: A Versatile Creative Visionary in Television and Film In the world of film and television, Steve Boyum has produced and directed hundreds of episodes in acclaimed series such as "Gen V" (Amazon), "The Old Man" (FX), "Goosebumps" (Disney+), "Supernatural," "Lethal Weapon," "Black Sails," and "Hawaii Five-0," along with numerous feature films, mini-series and MOW's . His work has resonated with audiences and critics, showcasing his versatility in various genres and storytelling styles. Before transitioning into directing and producing, Boyum gained recognition as a world renown second unit director and stunt coordinator. He also performed daring stunts in countless films and television series, leaving his mark on iconic movies such as "Apocalypse Now," "Lethal Weapon," "Predator," and series such as "The A-Team," and "The Dukes of Hazzard." This early exposure to the world of stunts and filmmaking set the stage for his future career. Subsequently, he ventured into cinematography, honing his skills in visual storytelling, enhancing his contribution to filmmaking. Born in California, Steve Boyum excelled in various sports, including motocross, skiing, surfing, and the martial arts. His early years were marked by athletic prowess that laid the foundation for his future endeavors. Mr. Boyum is also an accomplished fine artist and illustrator, creating canvases reflecting his profound understanding of aesthetics and the human experience. His musical talents enrich his artistic journey, creating a harmonious blend of creativity. Steve Boyum's career in the world of entertainment stands as a testament to his leadership, dedication, versatility, and passion for the arts. His ability to craft stories that resonate with audiences and his pursuit of artistic excellence ensure that his legacy will inspire future generations in the industry.8.694
Best Episodes:
"Swan Song" Supernatural 9.7/10 "XVIII." Black Sails 9.7/10 "In the Beginning" Supernatural 9.4/10- Producer
- Director
- Editorial Department
8.689
Best Episodes:
"Chicanery" Better Call Saul 9.8/10 "G'day Melbourne" The Leftovers 9.4/10 "Book of the Stranger" Game of Thrones 9.2/10- Director
- Producer
- Writer
Michael Rymer was born in 1963 in Australia. He is a director and producer, known for Angel Baby (1995), Battlestar Galactica (2004) and Hannibal (2013).8.680
Best Episodes:
"The Wrath of the Lamb" Hannibal 9.8/10 "Mukozuke" Hannibal 9.4/10 "Tome-wan" Hannibal 9.4/10- Director
- Producer
- Actor
Born near Windsor, England, Steve became an oil painter, photographer and printer, graduating in Fine Art at Leeds University. He then joined ground-breaking British experimental theatre company Impact Theatre Cooperative as an actor. For the next six years Steve appeared in thirteen original shows which toured throughout the UK and Europe. When Impact disbanded Steve went on to write, produce, direct and design a dozen new shows for his own theatre company which performed in Britain and around the world. Retrospectives of his work were staged at Glasgow's Centre for Contemporary Arts and the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London.
In recognition of his work in theatre, Steve was selected for the BBC Drama Director's Course and was trained at the Television Centre in Shepherds Bush, London to direct for the screen in multi camera, single camera, video and film. He went on to direct for UK ratings leaders "EastEnders", "Emmerdale", "Casualty" and "The Bill" before relocating to New York. His first job in the US was for Sidney Lumet on his TV courtroom series "100 Centre Street" starring Alan Arkin. Sidney wanted to make television drama the way he'd done it live in the 1950s and Steve was hired because of his BBC training and experience in that style. Following many episodes of the "Law & Order" franchise in New York for Dick Wolf, Steve began to work for HBO on "The Wire" in Baltimore and then "The Sopranos", "Rome", "Carnivale" and "Big Love". He directed the pilot of "The Tudors" in Dublin starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers and was nominated for a 2006 WGA Award for his writing on "Deadwood" which he also directed. He has produced and directed many pilots around the world including "Dracula" for NBC shot entirely in Budapest.
He directed the Screen Gems motion picture "Obsessed" starring Beyonce Knowles and Idris Elba which opened at number one in the US box office.
In 2010, Steve won the Emmy for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series for his work on the Season 4 finale of Showtime's "Dexter".8.093
Best Episodes:
"The Getaway" Dexter 9.8/10 "The Trap" The Flash 9.5/10 "Surprise, Motherfucker!" Dexter 9.3/10