Greg Berlanti is set to receive the Television Academy’s 2024 Governors Award, which will be presented during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards telecast on Sept. 15.
The TV Academy said that Berlanti, a prolific film and TV creator, writer, producer and director, is being recognized for his “significant impact on television and culture by depicting the underrepresented in film and in such iconic series as Dawson’s Creek, Riverdale, All American, The Flight Attendant and You.”
In a career that has spanned four decades, Berlanti has been the creative genius behind some of television’s most popular and culturally impactful shows, many of which broke ground with LGBTQ+ representation. Through his company, Berlanti Productions, he has been involved in over 45 television shows, and in 2019 the company had 18 live-action scripted series on the air at the same time.
Among the shows Berlanti has produced include Young Americans, Everwood, Jack & Bobby, Brothers & Sisters, Eli Stone, No Ordinary Family, The Tomorrow People, You, Dead Boy Detectives, Titans, Superman & Lois and Political Animals. He was also the creative force behind the Arrowverse, which contained the DC superhero shows Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, Black Lightning and Batwoman.
“Greg is an extraordinary creator, who consistently delivers characters and stories that are in dialogue with the real world,” said Television Academy Chair Cris Abrego in a statement. “From the beginning of his career, his commitment to representing three-dimensional LGBTQ+ characters in particular has paved the way for greater cultural understanding and acceptance of a community that is often under attack in both social and political discourse. For seizing the power of television to move our culture forward, the Academy is honored to select Greg Berlanti for this year’s Governors Award.”
“I am beyond grateful to be receiving this overwhelming and humbling honor from the Board of Governors and the Television Academy. Every minute in this business has been the greatest gift that I’m eternally thankful for,” said Berlanti in statement. “It will be nice to have an opportunity to thank all the family, friends, showrunners, execs, cast, crews and audiences that have made an honor like this possible.”
Previous recipients of the Governors Award include LGBTQ+ media advocacy organization GLAAD, the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, Debbie Allen, Tyler Perry, Star Trek, American Idol, William S. Paley, Hallmark Cards Inc., Masterpiece Theater, Comic Relief and PBS.