Forward 50 2018

Joe Weisberg

By PJ Grisar December 2, 2018

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

PJ Grisar is a Forward culture reporter. He can be reached at grisar@forward.com and @pjgrisar on Twitter.

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