Brian Wayne Peterson (born c. 1971/1972)[1] is an American screenwriter, television producer, and showrunner. After finding success writing the script for 1999 film But I'm a Cheerleader, he and his writing partner Kelly Souders wrote and produced the television series Smallville, Beauty and the Beast, Salem, Genius, and The Hot Zone.

Brian Wayne Peterson
Peterson at 2010 Smallville Comic-Con panel
Born1971 or 1972 (age 52–53)[1]
United States
Occupation(s)Screenwriter, television producer

Biography

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Peterson received a Master of Fine Arts in writing for screen and television from the USC School of Cinematic Arts in 1997.[2] It was here that he met Souders, where the two decided to form their writing partnership.

Shortly after his graduation, Jamie Babbit, the director for But I'm a Cheerleader, asked Peterson to write a script for her film after reading a story he had written about a gay cowboy.[3] Peterson used his experience for the story, which is about a group of teenagers who attend conversion therapy camp. He is gay himself[4] and had experience with conversion therapy while working at a prison clinic for sex offenders.[5] In 1999, Variety named him one of 10 Screenwriters to Watch.[1]

Peterson and Souders renewed their deal with Fox 21 Television Studios in August 2018.[6] Their next project, The Hot Zone,[7] tells the true story of the Reston virus in the US in 1989. It will be released on National Geographic on Memorial Day 2019.[8]

In 2012 Peterson and Souders were nominated for an Online Film and Television Association (OFTA) Television Award for Best Writing of a Motion Picture of Miniseries for Political Animals (2012).

Filmography

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Film

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Television

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Erstein, Hap (July 28, 2000). "Being Stereotyped Not a Concern for Gay Scriptwriter". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved March 17, 2010.
  2. ^ "USC School of Cinematic Arts 8th Annual 'First Pitch' Set for May 4: Class of 1997 Writer/Producer Brian Peterson to Host" (PDF). USC News. University of Southern California. April 27, 2009.
  3. ^ Fuchs, Cynthia (2000-07-21). "So Many Battles to Fight – Interview with Jamie Babbit". Nitrate Online. Retrieved 2007-05-14.
  4. ^ Grady, Pam (2007). "Rah Rah Rah: Director Jamie Babbit and Company Root for But I'm a Cheerleader". Reel.com. Archived from the original on 2007-09-26. Retrieved 2007-05-14.
  5. ^ Gideonse, Ted (July 2000). "The New Girls of Summer". Out. p. 56.
  6. ^ Petski, Denise (2018-08-09). "Kelly Souders & Brian Peterson Ink Overall Deal With Fox 21 Television Studios; Will Showrun 'The Hot Zone'". Deadline. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
  7. ^ Otterson, Joe (2018-09-13). "Topher Grace, Liam Cunningham Among Eight to Join Nat Geo Miniseries 'The Hot Zone'". Variety. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
  8. ^ "Exclusive: Julianna Margulies races to stop an Ebola outbreak in 'The Hot Zone' trailer". EW.com. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
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