Universal Television's EVP of Talent and Casting, Beth Klein, is set to leave the studio at the end of the year after an illustrious 37-year career. This marks a significant moment for the studio as she departs without an immediate replacement.

Her Impact at Universal Television

Klein has held a unique position at Universal TV, being the first and only head of casting. She joined the studio in September 2011 as part of a new executive team during its rebranding from Universal Media Studios to Universal TV. Her early shows included Chicago Fire and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Over the years, she has been at the forefront of casting for numerous Peabody Award-winning and Emmy-winning series. For instance, she was instrumental in the casting of Hacks, as well as the Law & Order, One Chicago, and FBI franchises. She also oversaw casting for NBC's live musicals like The Sound of Music, Hairspray, and the Emmy-winning Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.Her commitment to authentic casting is evident in shows like Jason Katims' As We See It, centered around three roommates on the autism spectrum, and David Schulner's New Amsterdam, where characters were often portrayed by actors with similar afflictions. She was a driving force behind the StandUp NBC initiative, giving diverse stand-up comedians a chance to win talent-holding deals. She also worked closely with NBCU's Launch Talent and Casting Assistant program.Erin Underhill, President of Universal Television, said, "This is a bittersweet moment for all of us at Universal Television. While we're sad not to have Beth's incredible touch on our projects, we're happy for her new chapter. Her legacy will live on in the shows she championed and the future generations for whom she paved a path. We are incredibly appreciative of all her contributions, especially the care and compassion she put into overseeing casting every role."

Her Time at Showtime

Before joining UTV as SVP, Talent and Casting, Klein spent over 23 years at Showtime. She rose to SVP of Talent and Casting and was one of several executives to follow former Showtime topper Bob Greenblatt to NBCUniversal. At Showtime, she oversaw casting for a wide range of scripted series such as The Big C, Dexter, Weeds, The Borgias, The Tudors, Queer as Folk, The L-Word, Nurse Jackie, United States of Tara, Episodes, Shameless, and Californication. She also handled more than 30 TV movies and the pilots for House of Lies and Homeland. During her tenure at Showtime, she also worked for other divisions of CBS/Viacom, including Viacom Prods., where she oversaw casting for series like Ed and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.Klein said, "I have been fortunate to collaborate with some of the best in the business during my career, and while I will miss my colleagues, I am very excited to embark on this next chapter."