Tony Phelan
Phelan is best known for his work on ABC's Grey's Anatomy, for which he has been nominated for two Emmys and three WGA awards, winning one shared with the show's writing team. On Grey's Anatomy, he produced over two dozen episodes, wrote five and served as co-executive producer for another eighteen. His wife also works on the show, which they joined at the beginning of the second season. Together, they became executive producers and ran the writers room alongside show creator Shonda Rhimes. They left the show after the tenth season ended sealing a two-year deal with CBS Television Studios. While at CBS, under their production company Midwest Livestock, the pair created the legal drama Doubt which lasted one season. They then signed an overall deal with NBC/Universal and created the family drama Council of Dads which ran for 13 episodes.
Most recently, Phelan and Rater created the critically acclaimed historical limited series A Small Light for NatGeo and Disney+. This story of Miep Gies who helped hide the Frank family in Amsterdam during World War II won the Humanitas Prize in Limited Series; the
Gotham Award for Best Breakthrough Series; and the Television Academy Honors for a drama series that creates awareness, enlightens, educates and/or positively motivates audiences.
They are also the creators and executive producers of Fire Country on CBS, and Sheriff Country which premieres Fall 2025.
Phelan got his start as a TV director on Grey's Anatomy, eventually directing multiple episodes including the musical episode. He later directed episodes of Madam Secretary, Doubt, Council of Dads and A Small Light.
His other work includes producing and writing for Madam Secretary Law & Order: Trial by Jury, and writing for the programs Push, Nevada, Threat Matrix, MDs, Haunting Sarah, Fling, and Cover Me.
Biography from the Wikipedia article Tony Phelan. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. Full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Part of Crew
Recently Updated Shows
American Idol
American Idol is an American singing competition show, where contestants perform in front of a panel of star judges, representing the music industry. The winner is determined by viewers' vote.
Unforgotten
Unforgotten focuses on ‘cold' murder cases. Each series deals with a new case, introducing seemingly unconnected characters who are gradually revealed to have some relationship with the victim. As the murder mystery unfolds, the emotional ramifications of the crime on the lives of those affected are also explored.
Formula 1: Drive to Survive
Drivers, managers and team owners live life in the fast lane -- both on and off the track -- during one cutthroat season of Formula 1 racing.
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City takes viewers into an undiscovered world that is about so much more than religion, although the Mormon church is undeniably engrained in the culture. In the majestic mountains of Utah is a hidden social circle made up of successful women who have created their own paradise filled with luxury homes, shopping sprees and multi-million-dollar businesses and brands. With Hollywood's exclusive Sundance Film Festival in their backyards, these Type-A power-brokers are accustomed to rubbing elbows with A-listers and what party list you are on means everything. They have mastered running wildly successful enterprises by day and enjoy après ski at the finest resorts by night, all the while raising extraordinary and unconventional families. Here perfection is not an aspiration, it's a mandate. They hold themselves and each other to an extremely high standard and never hold back when things go sideways, but lord knows they are always there for each other when they need it most.
Naked and Afraid
Each week on Naked and Afraid, a new pair of complete and total strangers - one man and one woman - will find themselves stranded in and, quite literally, exposed to one of the world's most extreme weather environments. This duo will be left high and dry with no food, no water... and no clothes. They must survive on their own for a full 21 days, with nothing but one personal item each and the knowledge that the only prize is their pride and sense of accomplishment.