Beth Klein, Head Of Casting At Universal Television, To Retire

Nellie Andreeva

11 December 2024 at 2:36 pm·3-min read

EXCLUSIVE: Universal Television’s EVP of Talent and Casting Beth Klein will be leaving the studio at the end of the year when she will retire after a 37-year career as a casting executive. There is no immediate replacement.

Klein has been Universal TV’s first — and only — head of casting. She joined the studio, now a division of Universal Studio Group, in September 2011 as part of a new executive team for the unit as it was being rebranded from Universal Media Studios to Universal TV.

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With Chicago Fire and Brooklyn Nine-Nine among her first shows, Klein has spearheaded casting for four Peabody Award-winning series and 20 Emmy-winning series, most recently, Hacks, as well as the the Law & Order, One Chicago and FBI franchises, The Gilded Age, Loot, Schmigadoon! and “Girls5eva, Bel-Air, Never Have I Ever and The Best Man: The Final Chapters, among others. She also oversaw casting on NBC’s live musicals, including the highly-rated The Sound of Music, Hairspray and the Emmy-winning Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.

Known for authentic casting, Klein worked on increasing on-screen representation during her tenure with such shows as Jason Katims’ As We See It, which centered around three roommates on the autism spectrum, and David Schulner’s New Amsterdam, where characters were often portrayed by actors living with the same afflictions. Klein was also a driving force behind the StandUp NBC initiative, where diverse stand-up comedians across the country compete for the chance to win a talent-holding deal, and worked closely with NBCU’s Launch Talent and Casting Assistant program.

“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,” said Erin Underhill, President, Universal Television, who was part of the same senior executive team as Klein, installed at the studio’s 2011 relaunch. “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.”

Prior to joining UTV as SVP, Talent and Casting, Klein spent more than 23 years at Showtime, rising to SVP of Talent and Casting. She was one of several executives to follow former Showtime topper Bob Greenblatt to NBCUniversal after working together at Showtime, with Pearlena Igbokwe, now Chairman, Universal Studio Group, among them.

While at Showtime, Klein oversaw casting for the network’s scripted series, including 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, as well as more than 30 TV movies and the pilots for House of Lies and Homeland. During her tenure, Klein also worked for other divisions of CBS/Viacom, including Viacom Prods., where she oversaw casting for such series as Ed and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

“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,” Klein said.

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