Michelle MacLaren

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Lore & Background

MacLaren approaches shooting action sequences through mathematical deconstruction, favoring the use of multiple cameras and wide lenses to capture complex moments. Her directorial debut on The X-Files was the season nine episode "John Doe," written by her future Breaking Bad collaborator Vince Gilligan. On Breaking Bad, she established a consistent visual identity that balanced high-stakes drama with intimate character moments. She was nominated for six Primetime Emmy Awards all tied to Breaking Bad: directing "One Minute" (season 3, episode 7) in 2010 and "Gliding Over All" (season 5, episode 8) in 2013, plus four Outstanding Drama Series nominations as executive producer in 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014. She won the latter two years for producing. Additionally, she received three Producers Guild of America Award nominations for Best Episodic Drama for the series, winning in 2014 and 2015.

In Their Own Story

In November 2014, MacLaren was announced to develop the script and direct Wonder Woman, marking the character's first solo cinematic appearance as the fourth installment of the DC Extended Universe. However, by April 2015, she left the project due to "creative differences." Her career trajectory included a two-year first-look deal with HBO signed in June 2014. She served as executive producer and directed the pilot for David Simon's HBO drama The Deuce, establishing its overall 1970s tone and style. In August 2016, she was announced to direct the film adaptation of Kristin Hannah's novel The Nightingale, attracted by the "muscular" nature of the project and its unsuspecting female heroes. That same year, she directed the ninth episode of HBO's Westworld. When directors for Game of Thrones' final season were announced, outlets like Polygon and Nerdist expressed disappointment that MacLaren was not included, noting she was the only woman to direct on the series.

Reader's Guide

Fans can trace MacLaren's impact through her specific directorial choices, such as her mathematical deconstruction of action scenes. Her Emmy-winning directing work includes "One Minute" (2010) and "Gliding Over All" (2013). As an executive producer, she secured wins in 2013 and 2014 after receiving nominations across four years. Her collaboration with Vince Gilligan began on The X-Files with the episode "John Doe" and continued through Breaking Bad, where they developed a miniseries called Raven based on the Jonestown massacre. She also directed episodes of The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones early in their runs. In December 2017, she visited the Dubai International Film Festival as a guest of OSN. On January 31, 2018, she was confirmed to direct the film Cowboy Ninja Viking.

Did You Know?

• Michelle MacLaren directed 11 episodes of Breaking Bad, more than any other director on the series.
• She won back-to-back Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Drama Series in 2013 and 2014 as an executive producer.
• MacLaren left the Wonder Woman project in April 2015 due to "creative differences" after being announced to direct it in November 2014.
• She was the only woman to direct episodes of Game of Thrones, a fact that drew criticism when she was excluded from directing the final season.