Who is Carolyn Strauss?
When the press release went out regarding HBO’s decision to order a pilot for Game of Thrones it was revealed that ex-HBO employee Carolyn Strauss (shown at right on the set of Rome) was an executive producer on the project. Strauss was Entertainment President at HBO for 22 years before stepping down this past March. Here is an excerpt from the LA Times announcing her departure:
HBO said Sunday that Entertainment President Carolyn Strauss was leaving after 22 years at the premium cable channel, where she helped develop programs such as “The Sopranos” and “Six Feet Under” and foster an environment that attracted top-notch creative talent.
Strauss is in discussions about taking on a new role with HBO, likely in the form of a producing deal, a person familiar with the talks said. Her departure was first reported on the blog Deadline Hollywood Daily.
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Strauss agreed with HBO co-President Richard Plepler and Michael Lombardo, president of the programming group and West Coast operations, that the timing was right for her to move into a different role, a source said.
“No one has made a more significant contribution to the success of HBO than Carolyn,” the two executives said in a statement Sunday. “We are truly delighted that she will continue to be a part of the HBO family. We cannot imagine HBO without her and we are thrilled that we will continue to have the benefit of her judgment and unique talent.”
Winter Is Coming: I remember at the time of her stepping down there was much consternation among the fan base about what that would mean for the, at-the-time, optioned ASOIAF project. Many thought that would be the end, that whomever was brought in would want to start with a clean slate of projects. Obviously that wasn’t the case and it seems that Game of Thrones is Ms. Strauss’ first foray into her “new role” at HBO. Obviously having her on board is going to be a positive. Her pedigree in developing shows such as The Sopranos and Six Feet Under and her rapport with the current brass at HBO should help in getting this series to air.
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