Steven Conrad Says He Won’t Return to Filmmaking After HBO Success
Screenwriter and TV creator Steven Conrad, known for The Pursuit of Happyness and Patriot, says he has no intention of making another film, focusing instead on television projects like the Emmy-nominated series DTF St. Louis.
After a four-decade career that began with the sale of Wrestling Ernest Hemingway, Steven Conrad has built a résumé that includes Oscar-nominated screenplays such as The Pursuit of Happyness and the acclaimed series Patriot. His latest HBO limited series, DTF St. Louis, starring David Harbour, Linda Cardellini and Jason Bateman, examines the complexities of middle-aged male friendship and varied sexual desires, and has garnered 13 Emmy nominations across production, writing and directing categories.
Conrad described the series as a personal milestone, noting the unique attachment he feels to the project and its resonance with viewers. He emphasized that television’s extended storytelling allows for richer character development and a stronger audience bond, which he finds more rewarding than the fleeting nature of film. As a result, he has decided not to pursue any new movies, concentrating his creative energy on television work instead.
Why it matters
Conrad’s shift underscores a broader industry trend toward TV as the preferred medium for deep storytelling.
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