Emmy-nominated writer, producer, and director Leslye Headland finds that the most rewarding aspect of her work is, “seeing audiences connected with the final product.” Such final products include the critically-acclaimed “Russian Doll” (co-created by Natasha Lyonne and Amy Poehler), which was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards and nine Creative Arts Emmy Awards (of which it won three). To Headland, these awards show that her audiences are very much connecting with what she has to say. She began her career with the “Seven Deadly Plays” series, including “Bachelorette” and “Assistance.” “Bachelorette” became the basis for her directorial film debut, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2012 and starred Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher, and Rebel Wilson. Connecting to audiences is important to Headland, who found that, at points in her life, she wasn’t being authentic to herself. It took her some time, she says, “to uncover what was blocking me and, finally, to discard the beliefs, behaviors, and people that were unsupportive and damaging to my heart.” One of the reasons that it is so important for her to connect to her audience is that she writes about intense emotions, which can feel isolating. “When I see others relate, I feel less alone,” she tells GO. “I am lucky I get to do this for a living.” Recently, Headland directed and executive produced the Freeform pilot “Single Drunk Female,” written by Simone Finch. Among her next projects is the “Star Wars” series, “The Acolyte,” for the Disney+ streaming platform, on which she will serve as writer, executive producer, and showrunner. —NT
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