Liz Tigelaar

Rachel Elizabeth Tigelaar (born October 4, 1975) is an American television writer, producer, and author.

Liz Tigelaar
Tigelaar in 2016
Born (1975-10-04) October 4, 1975
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
OccupationTelevision producer, writer, author
Years active2000–present

She has worked on the series Brothers & Sisters, American Dreams, Once and Again, Once Upon a Time, Revenge, Bates Motel, Casual and is well known for creating and executive producing The CW series Life Unexpected.[1]

Early life

Tigelaar was born in Washington, D.C.. She was adopted as a child, something that influenced her work on Life Unexpected.[2] She grew up in Dallas, Texas, and Guilford, Connecticut, and graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in scriptwriting and politics.[3]

Career

2000–06: Early writing

Tigelaar, in 2000, was an assistant on the series Dawson's Creek and co-wrote her first episode with Holly Henderson, the third-season episode, "Show Me Love". Tigelaar also co-wrote with Holly Henderson two novels in the Dawson's Creek Suspense Trilogy, a series of novels based on the characters from the television series.[4][5]

From 2001-02, Tigelaar was an assistant to executive producer on the series Once and Again. Tigelaar became a writer for the series, American Dreams in 2002 and wrote two books based on the series in 2004.[6][7] Tigelaar also wrote three episodes of the animated television series Totally Spies! from 2001-02.

2006–08: Continued writing, Stick It and PrettyTOUGH novels

Tigelaar was an associate producer on the 2006 comedy-drama film, Stick It, about gymnasts.

Tigelaar released her first novel as a solo writer in 2007 titled, PrettyTOUGH, a novel about two very different sisters, Krista and Charlie Brown, who have to face their differences and learn to work together when they are recruited for their high school soccer team. Tigelaar released a follow-up to the first novel titled, Playing with the Boys: A PrettyTOUGH Novel in 2008.[8]

During this time, Tigelaar wrote for many shows including, Kyle XY, What About Brian, Side Order of Life, Brothers & Sisters and Dirty Sexy Money.

2009–11: Life Unexpected

In January 2009, it was announced that Tigelaar was developing a new drama series under the title, Light Years for The CW.[9] According to Tigelaar, the title "tested way too sci-fi" and it was changed to LUX (the name of the shows lead character) in April.[10] On May 22, 2009, The CW announced they had picked up the new series from Tigelaar, with shows name changed again and this time under the name Parental Discretion Advised.[11] In June 2009, the network reverted to the name Life UneXpected, again highlighting the name of the main character in capital letters. Initial advertising for the series in fall 2009 listed it without the capitalized "X", which became the final version.

The series tells the story of teenager Lux, who had been through the foster care system for almost her whole life and decides on her 16th birthday, to become an emancipated minor, but before that occurs, she has to get signatures from her unknown birth parents. When a judge decides that Lux isn't ready for emancipation, Lux is unexpectedly granted temporary joint custody to her birth parents, Baze and Cate.

Life Unexpected premiered on The CW on January 18, 2010. The first season's 13-episode run ended on April 12, 2010. The series was picked up for a second season, which premiered on September 14, 2010.[12][13] The CW declined to order more episodes for the show's second season, leaving the season's episode count at 13.[14] On December 6, 2010, Tigelaar made the series cancellation official via Facebook. The series aired its last episode on January 18, 2011.[15][16]

Tigelaar has received much praise for her work on Life Unexpected. A review in the Los Angeles Times called Tigelaar's writing smart and insightful.[17][18] Similarly, Randee Dawn, from The Hollywood Reporter stated that Tigelaar "has a delicate, spot-on feel for dialogue."[19] The Futon Critic's Brian Ford Sullivan singled out Tigelaar, as well as director Gary Fleder, in Life Unexpected for adeptly exploring Lux's perceived lack of love in her life.[20]

Tigelaar was also a consulting producer on the 2009 series of Melrose Place, an updated version of the 1990s Fox prime time drama of the same name and wrote the series' second episode, "Nightingale".

In 2010, the first novel of Tigelaar's book series, PrettyTOUGH, was developed into a webseries by Vuguru.[21]

The Joneses

In June 2011, Tigelaar began a development deal with ABC Studios and stated that she already had some things in mind.[22] It was announced on August 19, 2011, that Tigelaar was reteaming with former Life Unexpected executive producers Gary Fleder and Mary Beth Basile on The Joneses, a drama series in development for ABC. It is based on the 2009 film of the same name that originally starred Demi Moore and David Duchovny.[23]

In July 2012, after ABC had passed on the project, it was reported that cable channel Bravo had picked the series up to development.[24]

Once Upon a Time

In May 2011, Tigelaar joined the crew of the ABC fantasy series Once Upon a Time, as a writer and co-executive producer.[25][26][27] She has since departed the show to pursue greater involvement on Revenge. Episodes she contributed to included:

Revenge

In fall 2011, Tigelaar signed on to the ABC drama series Revenge as a writer and consulting producer.[28] After the completion of the first season, Tigelaar left the show.[29] Episodes she contributed to included:

  • "Commitment" 01.13 (co-written with co-executive producer Mark B. Perry)
  • "Justice" 01.18 (co-written with executive story editor Sallie Patrick)

Nashville

In summer 2012, Tigelaar joined the first season of the ABC musical/drama Nashville, as a writer.[29]

Little Fires Everywhere

She served as developer and showrunner on the miniseries Little Fires Everywhere that was released by Hulu in March 2020 and produced by ABC Signature.

References
  1. Tucker, Ken (August 4, 2009). "'Life Unexpected': Remember this TV show's name, and watch for it". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 20, 2010.
  2. "Adopted girl's fantasy life becomes series". January 12, 2010. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved December 21, 2011.
  3. "Interview with Liz Tigelaar" Archived 2014-07-14 at the Wayback Machine. Austin Film Festival. Retrieved 2014-07-13.
  4. Henderson, Holly E.; Tigelaar, Liz (2001). Lighthouse Legend (Dawson's Creek Suspense Trilogy). ISBN 0743416945.
  5. Fricke, Anna; Siebertz, Barbara (2001). Bayou Blues (Dawson's Creek Special 2). ISBN 0743416953.
  6. Tigelaar, Liz (26 October 2004). Star Maps (American Dreams Series). ISBN 0689871716.
  7. Tigelaar, Liz (2004). End of Summer (American Dreams). ISBN 0689870817.
  8. "Pretty Tough Books". Archived from the original on November 27, 2011. Retrieved December 21, 2011.
  9. Andreeva, Nellie (January 12, 2009). "Meet the CW's young parents". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 23, 2010. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
  10. "Today's TV Addict Top 5: Things you didn't know about LIFE UNEXPECTED". The TV Addict. January 25, 2010. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  11. "The CW prefers them young, hot and serious". May 22, 2009. Retrieved December 21, 2011.
  12. Hibberd, James (May 18, 2010). "CW picks up 'Nikita,' 'Hellcats,' 'Life,' 'OTH'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 21, 2010. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  13. "Top Model, Hellcats to Kick off CW's New Season". TVGuide.com. 2010-06-30.
  14. "There Will Be No Back Order for Life Unexpected - Ratings". TVbytheNumbers. 2010-11-02. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
  15. CW. "Will Life Unexpected Be Cancelled Or Renewed? - Ratings". TVbytheNumbers. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
  16. "Life Unexpected Canceled What About Parenthood". E! Online. 2010-11-03. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
  17. Gelman, Vlada (January 18, 2010). "'Life Unexpected': Kristoffer Polaha previews the CW's new drama". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 27, 2010. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  18. Horton, Kelly Jo (October 23, 2009). "Scene in Portland: CW Series Life UneXpected Shooting in Portland". The Portlander. Archived from the original on January 27, 2010. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  19. Dawn, Randee (January 13, 2010). "Life Unexpected – TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Nielsen Business Media. Archived from the original on January 21, 2010. Retrieved January 20, 2010.
  20. Ford Sullivan, Brian (June 29, 2009). "The Futon's First Look: 'Life Unexpected'". The Futon Critic.
  21. "Vuguru - Pretty Tough". Vuguru. Retrieved December 21, 2011.
  22. "Life Unexpected Finale: Happily Ever After for All! Plus, Scoop on Liz Tigelaar's New ABC Deal". January 18, 2011. Retrieved December 21, 2011.
  23. "TVLine Items: House Vet to Good Wife, Big Bang Mom Returns, LUX Boss' New Show, and More". August 19, 2011. Retrieved December 21, 2011.
  24. "Bravo To Develop Liz Tigelaar’s Former ABC Pilot ‘The Joneses’". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
  25. "TVLine Items: White Collar Nabs Dushku, Halle Berry Eyes TV Series, and More News to Know". June 1, 2011. Retrieved December 21, 2011.
  26. "'Once Upon a Time': Snow falls in love". Zap2it. November 6, 2011. Archived from the original on November 7, 2011.
  27. "Once Upon a Time Review: A Snow White Worth Fighting For". TV Fanatic. November 6, 2011.
  28. Tigelaar, Liz (November 30, 2011). "Twitter / @liztigelaar: heading to the set of #revenge today. table read for #113. yay". Twitter. Retrieved December 9, 2011.
  29. "Bravo Redeveloping ABC's 'Joneses' Remake From 'Life Unexpected' Creator". Hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved 2012-07-13.
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