ERICA MESSER
Erica Messer is an accomplished Showrunner, Executive Producer, Writer
and Creator of dramatic series for U.S. network and streaming television.
She has worked in the industry for over twenty-five years.
Currently, Messer is serving as Executive Producer and Showrunner on the
renewal of "Criminal Minds" on Paramount+.
Most recently, she served as Executive Producer and Showrunner on the ABC
pilot, TRIAGE, working with EP/Creator David Cornue, EP/Director Jon M. Chu, and EPs Caitlin Foito, Courtney Hazlett and Steven Marrs. In 2019, she wrapped her her ninth and, what she thought was, her final year as Executive Producer, Showrunner and Head Writer of CRIMINAL MINDS. In addition to the 215+, episodes she led as a producer, she maintained the title of longest-serving writer on the series, having joined the show in its first season in September, 2005. Throughout its run, CRIMINAL MINDS consistently was ranked TV's number one suspense thriller and is listed one among a select few shows to have broadcast 300+ episodes over 14 seasons. CRIMINAL MINDS maintained its popularity through successful streaming, cable syndication, international sales and one foreign adaptation (in Korea). The show, which is set to end its US run with Season 15 in the winter of 2020, focuses on an elite team of FBI profilers who analyze the complex behaviors of TV’s most depraved criminals in order to capture and bring them to justice.
In May 2015, in collaboration with Mark Gordon Productions, Messer created CRIMINAL MINDS: BEYOND BORDERS and simultaneously served as the lead Writer, Showrunner and Executive Producer on both shows for the next two seasons. A spinoff from the original show, BEYOND BORDERS followed the International Response Team, the unit of FBI profilers rescuing Americans who found themselves in trouble abroad. The show aired on CBS from 2016 - 2017.
In 2017, Messer trained her ambitions on expanding her impact as a creator, producer and writer of new shows as well as a partner and mentor for skilled writers looking to launch their own series. She's signed her first two-year overall pod deal with ABC Studios and re-upped her exclusive pod deal with ABC Studios and Disney Television Studios in 2019. Under the Erica Messer Productions banner, Messer is committed to creating new network, cable and streaming television shows with talented writers eager to work with a seasoned producer with a strong reputation for in show production and management. The company's focus is on telling hopeful, empowering stories of regular people committed to living lives of impact and meaning. Over the years, she developed the mother-daughter spy drama, BEST KEPT SECRET (ABC Network/ABC Studios), the multi-generational nursing drama, NIGHTINGALE (ABC Network/ABC Studios), the multi-generational family drama, PARADISE FALLS (ABC Network & ABC Studios),and the international biographical drama, DR. TOM (ABC Signature Studios). The company has a full slate of series in development with ABC Signature Studios.
In 2018, Messer completed her producer duties on her first documentary feature film, "Biggest Little Farm." It was a labor of love on which she worked for over six years. The documentary had its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival in September and has gone on to win many awards at various film festivals, including seven nominations for the Critics' Choice Awards for Documentary Films. Partnered with Neon, the film's U.S. theatrical release was May 10, 2019. It is available for current viewing on Apple I-Tunes and, in November, on Hulu.
Messer was born and raised in Washington D.C. and spent the latter half of her childhood in Maryland. She stayed on the East Coast to pursue her education, attending Florida State and Salisbury University. After graduating, Messer relocated to Los Angeles and got her first job working in drama development at FOX. Her next job was assisting Chris Keyser and Amy Lippman (Creators & Executive Producers of PARTY OF FIVE) and during her time in the production offices, she learned the ins-and-outs of running a popular show and the importance of strong character development in crafting a worthwhile series. From there, Messer launched her own career as a writer. She worked with a writing partner on the shows ALIAS, THE OC, and CHARMED before moving to CRIMINAL MINDS in its inaugural year. Without a break, she has written for and worked with the series since its premiere on September 22, 2005.
To learn more about Messer's climb and career in television, listen to her interview on the WGAW Podcast, "3rd & Fairfax" (episode 114).
Messer is a working mother and very familiar with juggling the demands of Hollywood with those of parenthood. She lives in Los Angeles with her family.
April 2022