NBC to foster female directors with initiative for its shows

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – NBC aims to boost the number of female directors on its shows.

The network on Thursday announced a new initiative called “Female Forward.” It will give 10 female directors the opportunity to shadow up to three episodes of a scripted NBC series, culminating in an in-season commitment to direct at least one episode of the series she shadows.

The initiative is spearheaded by NBC Entertainment President Jennifer Salke in partnership with director Lesli Linka Glatter (“Mad Men,” ”Homeland” and the upcoming “Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders”).

Salke told reporters “there’s a huge drought in female directors, and we were determined to do something about that.”

“Female Forward” will begin with NBC’s 2018-19 season.