Salli Richardson-Whitfield is staying in business with HBO.
Richardson-Whitfield is extending her creative partnership with HBO. The Emmy-nominated director and executive producer has signed a new two-year overall deal, continuing to develop and produce content exclusively for HBO and Max.
The news comes on the heels of The Gilded Age‘s latest milestone. The period drama, which Richardson-Whitfield executive produces and directs, is currently wrapping up its third season. HBO officially renewed the series for a fourth season following the release of Season 3, Episode 6, citing a steady 20% increase in premiere-night viewership over last season and a 60% jump in online engagement. The season finale airs Sunday, August 10, and will close out what has been the show’s most critically acclaimed and high-stakes season yet.
Richardson-Whitfield earned a 2024 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Drama Series as an EP on The Gilded Age and previously made history as the first Black woman nominated for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for her work on HBO’s Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty. She also picked up two Gracie Awards that same year for Winning Time and The Gilded Age.
Up next, she’ll executive produce and direct the HBO original series Task, created by Brad Ingelsby (Mare of Easttown) and starring Mark Ruffalo, Thuso Mbedu, and Tom Pelphrey.
Inspired by Ava DuVernay, Richardson-Whitfield transitioned from a successful acting career to directing, starting with two episodes of Queen Sugar. Since then, she’s built an impressive directing portfolio across platforms, including Reprisal (Hulu), See (Apple TV+), Dear White People, The Punisher, and Altered Carbon (Netflix), as well as American Gods (Starz).
As an actress, she starred in more than 20 films—including The Great White Hype, Antwone Fisher, and I Am Legend—and appeared on series such as Eureka, Family Law, and The Newsroom.