A conversation with Carlton Cuse and John Ridley about their collaboration, as well as the creation of great contemporary narratives. The discussion will also reflect on Federico Fellini’s imagery and his influence on modern serialized storytelling, particularly in Lost.
Moderator Marco Spagnoli
Biography – John Ridley
John Ridley is an American screenwriter, director, producer, and novelist, and the winner of the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for 12 Years a Slave. Active across film, television, and comics, he has created and written high‑impact series such as American Crime, which earned an Emmy Award, Guerrilla, and Five Days at Memorial.
He has also collaborated with Marvel and DC Comics on titles including The Other History of the DC Universe, Black Panther, GCPD: The Blue Wall, The Next Batman, and, more recently, Ministry of Compliance.
As a novelist, his works include Stray Dogs, Everybody Smokes in Hell, and Those Who Walk in Darkness.
He is also the co‑host, together with Matt Carey, of Deadline Hollywood’s Doc Talk Podcast.
Biography – Carlton Cuse
Carlton Cuse is an Emmy and Peabody Award–winning writer, producer, director and showrunner behind some of television’s most widely watched and culturally influential series.
He served as executive producer, writer, and co-showrunner of Lost, guiding the series through its entire six-season run. The show became a global cultural phenomenon, won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series, and is widely credited with helping to redefine serialized storytelling for television.
Cuse is the co-creator, executive producer, and writer of Bates Motel, a critically acclaimed contemporary reimagining of the Psycho mythology. He is also the co-creator, executive producer, director, and writer of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, one of the most successful global series in the history of streaming. His additional television credits include Colony, The Strain, Locke & Key and the highly acclaimed Apple limited series, Five Days at Memorial.
Earlier in his career, Cuse was the creator, writer and showrunner of Nash Bridges and The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr., establishing a reputation for combining action, humor, and serialized narrative. He has also written feature films, including San Andreas and Rampage.
In addition to his work as a writer, director, and producer, Cuse is widely recognized for his collaborative approach to showrunning and for mentoring a generation of television writers who have gone on to lead their own series.
Cuse graduated from Harvard University and began his career in both features and television before focusing on long-form storytelling. Born in Mexico City and raised in the United States, he continues to develop, write, direct, and produce projects across multiple platforms.
Additional seats will be available on-site starting 30 minutes before the event begins, subject to availability.