John Coles is a highly acclaimed director and producer, revered for his remarkable ability to craft compelling narratives and elicit outstanding performances from a diverse range of talented actors. With a distinguished career that has traversed the realms of feature films, television, and theater, Coles' production company, Talking Wall Pictures, is dedicated to fostering the development of groundbreaking and imaginative feature and television projects.
Coles, a highly accomplished individual, garnered recognition in the form of Emmy and PGA award nominations for his multifaceted role as Executive Producer and Director on the massively popular Netflix series House of Cards.
His impressive directing portfolio boasts a range of notable projects, including the critically acclaimed The Right Stuff, which earned an Emmy Award, the highly acclaimed Homeland, the Epix original series Berlin Station, the Hulu exclusive 11/22/63, and Amazon's Mad Dogs.
Person Biography:
With a career spanning multiple decades, he has established himself as a renowned television director, with an impressive array of credits to his name. His directorial work includes Bates Motel, a critically acclaimed series that reimagines the classic Alfred Hitchcock film. He has also directed Power, a crime drama that explores the dark and gritty world of organized crime. Damages, a legal thriller that delves into the cutthroat world of corporate law, is another notable credit to his name. Justified, a crime drama that follows a U.S. Marshal as he navigates the complexities of law enforcement, is yet another example of his impressive body of work. His work also includes Sex and the City, a groundbreaking comedy-drama that revolutionized the way we think about relationships and sexuality. The West Wing, a critically acclaimed drama that explores the inner workings of the White House, is yet another notable credit to his name.
As an Executive Producer, he has played a crucial role in shaping the narrative of several successful television series. Thief, a crime drama that follows a professional thief as he navigates the world of organized crime, is one example of his executive producing credits. Elementary, a modern-day retelling of the classic Sherlock Holmes stories, is another notable credit. Unforgettable, a crime drama that follows a detective with a rare condition that allows her to remember every detail of her life, is yet another example of his executive producing work. 3LBS, a crime drama that explores the complexities of forensic science, is yet another credit to his name. Law and Order: Criminal Intent, a crime drama that follows a detective as he navigates the world of organized crime, is yet another example of his executive producing credits. New Amsterdam, a medical drama that follows a brilliant doctor as he navigates the complexities of the healthcare system, is yet another credit to his name. Wonderland, a crime drama that explores the darker side of human nature, is yet another example of his executive producing work. Most recently, he served as the Executive Producer on USA's hit drama The Sinner, a psychological thriller that explores the complexities of human nature.
Coles' remarkable odyssey in the realm of filmmaking commenced at the tender age of seventeen, when he embarked on the ambitious undertaking of shooting his inaugural full-length 16mm film, a cleverly crafted and witty re-imagining of the classic cinematic masterpiece, Casablanca, transposed to the relatable setting of a high school.
As he navigated his academic journey at Amherst College, Coles expanded his creative horizons by directing a documentary about his esteemed institution, which ultimately garnered national exposure by airing on the esteemed Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).
His trajectory in the industry continued to unfold with his creation of short films for the iconic sketch comedy program, Saturday Night Live, showcasing his versatility and adaptability as a filmmaker. Furthermore, Coles honed his skills as an editor on two notable projects, Francis Coppola's critically acclaimed films, Rumble Fish and The Cotton Club, solidifying his reputation as a talented and dedicated professional in the world of filmmaking.
Notable milestones in the director's career began with the release of his inaugural feature-length film, "Signs Of Life", which garnered widespread acclaim and went on to claim the prestigious International Critics Prize at the esteemed Deauville film festival.
Coles, a prolific and innovative individual, continues to exercise his creative prowess through his esteemed production company, Talking Wall Pictures. As a talented writer and creator, he has successfully produced a plethora of original dramas, including the notable CBS production, "Songs in Ordinary Time". This critically acclaimed drama, which was adapted from the Oprah Book Club pick, boasts an impressive cast featuring esteemed actors Sissy Spacek and Beau Bridges.
Furthermore, Coles has co-created and executive produced the captivating series "Crash and Burn", a testament to his versatility and ability to craft engaging storylines. His company, Talking Wall Pictures, has developed a diverse range of projects with prominent networks such as HBO, CBS, New Line, IFC, and Bravo, solidifying its reputation as a leading production company in the industry.
Coles has had the privilege of collaborating with some of the most renowned writers in the business, including Academy Award-nominated Mike Weller, Pulitzer Prize winner Doug Wright, and accomplished writers Kate Robin and Ann Peacock. This impressive roster of collaborators is a testament to his ability to attract and work with the best in the business, resulting in high-quality productions that consistently exceed expectations.
Noteworthy in the realm of theatrical arts, Coles held esteemed membership within the Circle Rep Lab, a prestigious institution renowned for nurturing innovative artistic expression. Additionally, he was a distinguished alumnus of Wynn Handman's illustrious American Place Theater, a bastion of creative development and artistic growth.
Coles' impressive Off-Broadway credits boast the direction of the highly acclaimed production, The Impostor, which boasted an all-star cast featuring the talented Austin Pendleton and the radiant Calista Flockhart. Furthermore, his portfolio also includes the direction of Johnny Suede, a critically acclaimed film that starred the visionary Tom DiCillo, a master of cinematic storytelling.
Coles, a renowned filmmaker, has made New York City their permanent residence, allowing them to be immersed in the city's vibrant cultural and artistic scene.
As a distinguished alumnus of the Sundance Director's Lab, Coles has had the opportunity to hone their craft and collaborate with other talented filmmakers.
In addition to their work as a director, Coles has also shared their expertise with the next generation of filmmakers by teaching at several prestigious institutions, including the Columbia University Graduate Film Program, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, and the School of Visual Arts.
