Joe Weisberg

Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
Mastermind Show Runner
Joe Weisberg is the closest thing we have to a Jewish Ian Fleming. Creator of FX’s Emmy-winning spy series, “The Americans,” one of Weisberg’s first jobs out of college was at the Central Intelligence Agency.
Weisberg eventually left the Agency to teach special education in Queens. He turned to TV writing in 2010. After penning scripts for “Falling Skies” and the DirectTV run of “Damages” he pitched a Cold War espionage family drama about KGB agents posing as everyday, nuclear family Yanks.
“The Americans” ran on FX for six acclaimed seasons, ending this May. Its final episode gained Weisberg his first Emmy for outstanding writing following five nominations. His first series as show runner was such a hit, we can’t wait to see what he comes up with next. Here’s hoping it keeps the fun wigs from “The Americans.”
— PJ Grisar
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news. All donations are still being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000 until April 24.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.

