Deadline reported in an exclusive that, after 23 years, Dawn Steinberg (Breaking Bad, Damages) has stepped down as Head of Worldwide Talent and Casting for Sony Pictures Television. She is planning to stay to assist with the transition, but there is no current standing replacement for her at this time.
Steinberg has been with SPT since 2003, originally starting as SVP and head of casting before being promoted to EVP, Worldwide Talent & Casting. Aside from 20th Television’s Sharon Klein (Daylight, From the Earth to the Moon), Steinberg is considered as the longest tenured head of casting at a major television studio – Klein has led casting at 20th Television for more than 25 years, which is also now part of her larger Disney portfolio. Per Deadline, she is acknowledged to be one of few lasting representatives of a generation where TV executives were as well known as screen stars, as the streaming era brought reliance on outside consultants. Prior to joining SPT, she did casting work at Artists Television Group, Big Ticket Television, and NBC Studios, while originally starting as an independent casting director in New York.
Her most recent work, via Deadline, included overseeing talent and casting across SPT’s global slate – Steinberg worked with writers, casting directors, and producers on all current projects and series’ in development across cable, network, and streaming platforms, including the studio’s international production companies. Currently, there are no plans for the studio to outsource casting to outside casting directors.
Steinberg’s Sony casting credits have played key roles in defining iconic TV series and acting careers; Listed by Deadline, she was instrumental in the casting of Caitriona Balfe (Money Monster, Belfast) and Sam Heughan (The Spy Who Dumped Me, Bloodshot) on Outlander, Bryan Cranston (Malcom in the Middle, Better Call Saul) on Breaking Bad, Molly Parker (Nine Lives, House of Cards) on Doc, and Freddie Highmore (The Spiderwick Chronicles, Bates Motel) on The Good Doctor. She was also known for casting then little-known young Australian actresses in their first Hollywood roles – Margot Robbie (Barbie, The Wolf of Wall Street) in Pan Am and Rose Byrne (Spy, Insidious) in Damages. Other series casting credits over her Sony tenure include Alex Rider, The Artful Dodger, Better Call Saul, The Blacklist, Cobra Kai, For All Mankind, The Goldbergs, God of War, Outlander: Blood of My Blood, The Night Agent, and Pluribus.
From Deadline, a joint statement from SPT’s President Katherine Pope and Wayne Garvie, President, International Production, said:
“Dawn has been an integral part of this studio for more than two decades, bringing exceptional creative instincts, taste, and a deep passion for talent to everything she does. She has played a key role in shaping so many of the series that define our business, and her commitment to elevating actors and supporting creative partners has left a lasting impact across our shows and our team. Dawn is truly one of a kind, and we’re incredibly grateful for all she’s brought to Sony over the years. We wish her all the best in her next chapter.”