Boyish, 35-year old Greg Berlanti has more than enough charm and good looks to land himself a role on television.  Despite his handsome features, Berlanti's best work is behind the scenes as ABC's newest boy wonder when it comes to juggling shows as executive producer.

The young man behind such programs as Dawson's Creek, Everwood and Brothers & Sisters is now just one program shy of tying TV genius, David E. Kelley's record of four shows simultaneously on the air.  Berlanti is currently at the helm of returning series, Brothers & Sisters, as well as freshman entries, Eli Stone and Dirty Sexy Money.

Berlanti himself joked that being in charge of the three programs "nearly killed” him.

His 14-hour days that normally begin as early as 6am may be worth it, however.  His cast on Dirty Sexy Money is stellar with Donald Sutherland (Commander in Chief), William Baldwin (Flatliners, Backdraft), Peter Krause (Six Feet Under) and Jill Clayburgh (An Unmarried Woman, Starting Over) among others.

Though blessed with strong performers, Berlanti had mixed reactions when he first began casting the new show.  For Baldwin, who has never before embarked on a small screen role, the chance to work for Berlanti provided the extra motivation for him to venture into television.

"Greg is extremely talented and successful," Baldwin said via e-mail.  "When I heard that Greg was partnered with (creator) Craig Wright on 'Dirty Sexy Money,' it was the best pedigree you could ask for going into the fall schedule with a new show."

Co-star Peter Krause however, wasn't as quick to jump on the Dirty Sexy Money train as Baldwin.  The actor, who made a name for himself as Nate Fisher on HBO's Six Feet Under, rejected the offer to play Berlanti's pivotal character, attorney Nick George, a total of four times.  Krause's participation was crucial to Berlanti's blueprint for the show, since he was intent on grounding the entire series on George's moral values and character.  For that, he and Craig Wright were hell-bent on signing Krause to essay the lead character.

In the end, Wright, who had previously worked with Krause on Six Feet Under, eventually managed to sway the actor while Berlanti bade for time with the network.

"I've learned that unless you get the right person in that lead role, ultimately, it doesn't matter if you cast your show two weeks quicker than everyone else," Berlanti told The Journal News.


-Rosario Santiago, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: The Journal News
(Image Courtesy of ABC)