Sam Esmail

Esmail was born to Egyptian immigrant parents in Hoboken, New Jersey.{{cite news |url=https://blog.afi.com/the-afi-interview-mr-robot-creator-sam-esmail/ |title=The AFI Interview: 'Mr. Robot' Creator Sam Esmail|publisher=American Film Institute|date=December 1, 2015 |access-date=September 6, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190807150010/http://blog.afi.com/the-afi-interview-mr-robot-creator-sam-esmail/|archive-date=August 7, 2019 |url-status=live|quote=I was born to Egyptian parents...In New Jersey, in the United States of America}}{{Cite web|url=https://gimletmedia.com/shows/without-fail/dvh9mr|title=The Secret Early Lives of Sam Esmail {{!}} Without Fail|website=Gimlet|language=en|access-date=November 4, 2019}} He has described his parents as "very strict Muslims, and they weren't shy about showing it."{{Cite web |last=Eells |first=Josh |date=7 July 2016 |title=‘Mr. Robot’: Inside TV’s Hacktivist Breakout Hit |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/mr-robot-inside-tvs-hacktivist-breakout-hit-195888/ |website=Rolling Stone}} He has an older sister and two younger brothers, including Samer Esmail who was a post-production coordinator for Mr. Robot and Homecoming.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/10/30/774691659/mr-robot-creator-says-his-own-anxiety-and-hacking-helped-inspire-the-show|title='Mr. Robot' Creator Says His Own Anxiety And Hacking Helped Inspire The Show|date=October 30, 2019|people=Terry Gross (interviewer); Sam Esmail (interviewee)|publisher=NPR|time=31:00–33:00|access-date=November 5, 2019|medium=audio|via=NPR.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BUubId4lwfT/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BUubId4lwfT |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited|title=Samer Esmail on Instagram: "My 2 favorite people #bigbrothers @samesmail @kenosplit"|website=Instagram|language=en|access-date=November 5, 2019}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4044000/|title=Samer Esmail|website=IMDb|access-date=November 5, 2019}}

When he was five years old, his family moved to South Carolina and then to Charlotte, North Carolina.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/10/30/774691659/mr-robot-creator-says-his-own-anxiety-and-hacking-helped-inspire-the-show|title='Mr. Robot' Creator Says His Own Anxiety And Hacking Helped Inspire The Show|date=October 30, 2019|people=Terry Gross (interviewer); Sam Esmail (interviewee)|publisher=NPR|time=05:00–16:40|access-date=November 5, 2019|medium=audio|via=NPR.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.classmates.com/people/Sam-Esmail/2867686|title=Sam Esmail, Class of 1995|website=Classmates|access-date=November 5, 2019}} As a child, Esmail was very interested in technology. He acquired his first computer when he was nine and began computer programming a few years later. He attended high school in Summerville, South Carolina, where he faced racism. He said, "I used to hold Stanley Kubrick film festivals at my house in high school. These are not cool things. Back in my day, those are things that you would get beaten up for ... When you're a funny-looking Egyptian growing up in Jersey and South Carolina, it kind of gets rough."{{cite magazine|last1=Eells|first1=Josh|title='Mr. Robot': Inside TV's Hacktivist Breakout Hit|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/features/mr-robot-inside-tvs-hacktivist-breakout-hit-20160707|access-date=May 30, 2017|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=July 7, 2016|quote=I'm Egyptian, and my parents stupidly decided to move us down to South Carolina when I was five, which was pretty brutal. I got called 'sand nigger' all the time — to the point I didn't even know it was a slur. I just thought, 'That's who I am.'| archive-date= February 24, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224062449/http://www.rollingstone.com/tv/features/mr-robot-inside-tvs-hacktivist-breakout-hit-20160707|url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2016/01/mr_robot_season_2_christian_slater_rami_malek.html|title=N.J.'s Sam Esmail, 'Mr. Robot' Creator, on Season 2 — and Getting Beaten Up in High School|first=Vicki|last=Hyman|publisher=NJ.com (NJ Advance Media)|date=January 14, 2016|access-date=September 18, 2017|archive-date=September 18, 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170918004335/http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2016/01/mr_robot_season_2_christian_slater_rami_malek.html|url-status=live}} The family eventually moved back to Sewell, New Jersey, where Esmail graduated from Washington Township High School in 1995.Gray, Ellen.[https://www.inquirer.com/philly/columnists/ellen_gray/20160712__Mr__Robot__returns_-_as_mind-bending_as_ever__on_USA.html "Mr. Robot returns – as mind-bending as ever, on USA"], The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 12, 2016. Accessed December 17, 2020. "Esmail, who graduated from Gloucester County's Washington Township High School in 1995, is directing all 12 episodes this season, which opens with the economy in free fall after a cyberattack."

Esmail attended New York University where he studied film and computer science.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2016/11/19/13654544/full-transcript-mr-robot-sam-esmail-hacking|title=Full transcript: 'Mr. Robot' creator Sam Esmail on Recode Decode|date=November 19, 2016|website=Vox|language=en|access-date=November 4, 2019}} He graduated in 1998 from the university's Tisch School of the Arts.{{Cite tweet|user=nyuniversity|number=686383713463218176|title=WOOHOO!|author=New York University|date=January 10, 2016|language=en|access-date=November 4, 2019}} "Director/exec producer Sam Esmail (Tisch '98) & exec. producer Steve Golin (Tisch '76) win Best Drama Golden Globe for Mr. Robot!"|{{Cite web|url=https://tisch.nyu.edu/film-tv/alumni|title=Alumni|website=tisch.nyu.edu|language=en|access-date=November 4, 2019}} While attending the school, Esmail worked in its computer lab before being put on academic probation for hacking emails there.{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mr-robot-creator-also-thinks-its-weird-that-things-in-the-show-keep-coming-true_55bbb834e4b0b23e3ce2aa65|title='Mr. Robot' Creator Also Thinks It's Weird That Things In The Show Keep Coming True|last=Boboltz|first=Sara|date=August 1, 2015|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=August 3, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129141522/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mr-robot-creator-also-thinks-its-weird-that-things-in-the-show-keep-coming-true_us_55bbb834e4b0b23e3ce2aa65|archive-date=November 29, 2016}}

After graduating he briefly worked for an internet start-up, before founding his own ISP software company called Portal Vision. At age 20, he raised US$6 million in venture capital funding during the dot-com boom but the software quickly became outdated when broadband internet began replacing dial-up. He left his position as president and chief technology officer to briefly attend Dartmouth College's creative writing program.

Esmail moved to Los Angeles in 2001 where he attended the AFI Conservatory.{{cite web|url=http://www.usanetwork.com/mrrobot/cast/sam-esmail|title=Sam Esmail: Executive Producer|publisher=Mr. Robot official site (USA Network)|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629003512/https://www.usanetwork.com/mrrobot/cast/sam-esmail|archive-date=June 29, 2015|access-date=July 18, 2015}} He graduated with a Master of Fine Arts in directing in 2004.{{Cite web|url=https://unnaturalfilm.com/about-afi/|title=ABOUT AFI|date=January 23, 2017|website=Unnatural|language=en-US|access-date=November 4, 2019|archive-date=November 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104234627/https://unnaturalfilm.com/about-afi/|url-status=dead}}

After graduating the AFI Conservatory in 2004, Esmail struggled to find work and held odd jobs. He worked as an assistant film editor for a few years and was eventually able to establish a career as a post-production supervisor of behind-the-scenes features and television specials;{{Cite web|url=http://staffmeup.com/profile/3908770-Sam-Esmell|title=Sam Sam Esmell [sic] Offline Coordinator Credits |publisher=Staff Me Up|language=en|access-date=November 18, 2019|archive-date=January 11, 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200111201051/https://staffmeup.com/profile/3908770-Sam-Esmell|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://staffmeup.com/profile/id/3795|title=Sam Esmail Assistant Editor Credits |publisher=Staff Me Up|language=en|access-date=November 18, 2019|archive-date=January 11, 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200111200807/https://staffmeup.com/profile/id/3795|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://staffmeup.com/profile/3144035-Sam-Esmail|title=Sam Esmail Executive Producer credits |publisher=Staff Me Up|language=en|access-date=November 18, 2019|archive-date=January 11, 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200111201231/https://staffmeup.com/profile/3144035-Sam-Esmail|url-status=live}} his work included helping to edit episodes of reality television shows for Lifetime and A&E and stand-up specials for Comedy Central, HBO's documentary series Tourgasm and HBO First Look,{{cite AV media|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/10/30/774691659/mr-robot-creator-says-his-own-anxiety-and-hacking-helped-inspire-the-show|title='Mr. Robot' Creator Says His Own Anxiety And Hacking Helped Inspire The Show|date=October 30, 2019|people=Terry Gross (interviewer); Sam Esmail (interviewee)|publisher=NPR|time=25:25–31:00|access-date=November 5, 2019|medium=audio|via=NPR.com}} and "the making of" features for The Fast and the Furious franchise, as well as supervise the 2010 A&E documentary The Battle for Late Night.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2010/scene/markets-festivals/the-battle-for-late-night-1117942621/|title=The Battle for Late Night|last=Lowry|first=Brian|date=April 26, 2010|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=October 31, 2019}}

When not working as a full-time editor, Esmail worked on writing screenplays. Frustrated with his career, Hollywood, and its films, Esmail began writing his own feature films. His screenplay, Sequels, Remakes & Adaptations landed on 2008's Black List, a yearly survey of over six hundred production companies and film executives of the "most liked" motion picture screenplays not yet produced. After this, he was able to find representation in Hollywood and began working more as a screenwriter;{{Cite web|url=https://www.afi.com/news/the-afi-interview-mr-robot-creator-sam-esmail/|title=The AFI Interview: MR. ROBOT Creator Sam Esmail {{!}} American Film Institute|last=Hurwitz|first=Neal|language=en|access-date=November 4, 2019}} he wrote another screenplay that also landed on the Black List the following year and co-wrote the horror film Mockingbird with writer Bryan Bertino, which was released in 2014.

He wrote seriously for years before stopping to focus on his passion, directing. He began writing his own feature-length directorial debut, Comet, which was released by IFC Films in 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/comet-2014|title=Comet|last=Tallerico|first=Brian|publisher=Roger Ebert Film Reviews|access-date=July 18, 2015}} Comet premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival and had a limited box office release.

Mr. Robot

{{see also|Mr. Robot#Conception and development}}Originally intending it as a follow-up feature film to Comet, Esmail began working on the technological thriller Mr. Robot in the late 2000s, inspired in part by the 2008 financial crisis and the Arab Spring.{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/merrillbarr/2015/06/24/mr-robot-usa-2/|title='Mr. Robot': Creator Sam Esmail On Transitioning The Show From Feature Film To Pilot And More|last=Barr|first=Merrill|date=June 24, 2015|work=Forbes|access-date=August 3, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131132934/https://www.forbes.com/sites/merrillbarr/2015/06/24/mr-robot-usa-2/#4a6914df5c66|archive-date=January 31, 2016}} He has said that the main character, Elliot, is a "thinly-veiled version" of himself;{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/showrunner-roundtable-12-a-list-892520|title=Showrunner Roundtable: 12 A-List Writers Dish About Lesbian Weddings, Race and Why "Black People Don't Get to Write for White People"|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 11, 2016 |language=en|access-date=November 5, 2019}} like Elliot, Esmail also suffers from social anxiety and is from Washington Township in New Jersey. He was later inspired to take what he had written and create a pilot for what he imagined would be a four-or-five season show.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sam-esmail-battlestar-galactica-life-mr-robot-1244397|title=Sam Esmail on 'Battlestar Galactica' and Life After 'Mr. Robot'|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 3, 2019 |language=en|access-date=October 31, 2019}} Having secured management from Anonymous Content,{{Cite web |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |date=December 16, 2015 |title=Anonymous Content Thrives on TV Boom, 'Spotlight' and 'The Revenant' Awards Heat |url=https://variety.com/2015/biz/features/anonymous-content-true-detective-mr-robot-1201661360/ |access-date=November 5, 2019 |website=Variety |language=en}} Esmail shopped his projects around to many different television networks and began developing the show with USA Network in 2014.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2014/07/usa-network-pilot-mr-robot-drama-803612/|title=USA Network Orders Hacking Drama Pilot 'Mr. Robot'|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=July 14, 2014|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=November 5, 2019}}

Mr. Robot premiered on the USA Network on June 24, 2015. Esmail is the creator, executive producer and head writer of the series.{{cite web |last=Thomas |first=June |title=Why the Hacker Drama Mr. Robot Needed a Gay Character |work=Slate |date=June 24, 2015 |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2015/06/24/mr_robot_gay_character_sam_esmail_explains_why_the_show_needed_one.html |access-date=July 18, 2015 |archive-date=October 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20151012230843/http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2015/06/24/mr_robot_gay_character_sam_esmail_explains_why_the_show_needed_one.html |url-status=live }} Beginning with season two, Esmail also directed all episodes of the show; in total he directed thirty-eight of its forty-five episodes. The first season of the show was critically acclaimed and Esmail himself was nominated for two Emmys, among other awards. The following three seasons of the show premiered in July 2016, October 2017, and October 2019, respectively.

In a 2015 interview, Esmail explained the influence of his experiences as a second-generation American on his work, saying, "I tend to write about alienated figures who can't connect with others and who are kind of distant from American culture. It's not something I am consciously doing but it's something that happens to be infused inside me because of my experience growing up in America."Esmail in {{cite AV media |date=October 12, 2015 |title=Sam Esmael [sic] and Rami Malek talk Mr. Robot – Interview |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk_67YsHG4A|access-date=April 4, 2016 |first=Husam |last=sam Asi|work=BBC Xtra }} Following the wide recognition of Mr. Robot, Esmail formed his own production company, Esmail Corp. In early 2017, Esmail was called on by Universal Pictures to produce a film centered around the Bermuda Triangle, but production has since not been carried through.{{Cite web|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=July 21, 2017|title='Mr. Robot' Creator Sam Esmail to Write, Direct Bermuda Triangle Movie|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/sam-esmail-bermuda-triangle-movie-1202502646/|access-date=November 5, 2019|website=Variety|language=en}}

Homecoming

{{main|Homecoming (TV series)}}

Esmail was one of the executive producers and director of the Amazon Video series Homecoming, starring Julia Roberts and Bobby Cannavale. He received strong reviews for his direction of the show, which premiered in November 2018.{{cite news |last1=Seitz |first1=Matt Zoller |title=How Sam Esmail Directed the Hell Out of Homecoming |url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/11/homecoming-amazon-sam-esmail-filmmaking.html |access-date=November 16, 2018 |work=Vulture |date=November 14, 2018 |language=en}} In 2018, Esmail worked on creating the television show Briarpatch with journalist and producer Andy Greenwald, who previously hosted the Mr. Robot aftershow Hacking Robot on USA. The show, which Esmail executive produced, was picked up by USA Network in 2019. The show was released in 2020 as well as the second season of Homecoming. In February 2019, it was announced that Esmail had signed his company to a four-year exclusive deal with Universal Content Productions with whom he had already produced Mr. Robot, Homecoming, and Briarpatch.{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=February 8, 2019 |title=Sam Esmail Inks Massive New Overall Deal With Universal Content Productions |url=https://deadline.com/2019/02/sam-esmail-overall-deal-universal-content-productions-mr-robot-homecoming-1202552446/ |access-date=November 5, 2019 |website=Deadline |language=en}} Following this announcement, a number of projects in development were announced which would be sold and produced in the following few years. In 2019, it was announced that Esmail was developing a limited series with Emmy Rossum for the NBCUniversal streaming service Peacock based on the Los Angeles pseudo-celebrity Angelyne.{{Cite web|last=Goldberg|first=Lisa|title='Angelyne' Drama Based on Hollywood Reporter Article Joins NBCU's Streaming Slate|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/angelyne-drama-based-hollywood-reporter-article-joins-nbcus-streaming-slate-1240215|date=September 17, 2019|access-date=November 5, 2019|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en}} Produced during the first half of 2020, Angelyne was ultimately released May 19, 2022.{{cite web |last=Porter |first=Rick |title=Peacock's 'Angelyne' Trailer: Emmy Rossum Embodies the L.A. Billboard Icon |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/emmy-rossum-peacock-angelyne-trailer-1235131928/ |date=April 19, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en |access-date=April 19, 2022}}

In September 2020, Esmail sold two dramas to ABC;{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=September 29, 2020 |title=Sam Esmail Makes 2 Big Drama Sales To ABC – 'Acts Of Crime' With Production Commitment & CDC Project As Put Pilot |url=https://deadline.com/2020/09/sam-esmail-sells-two-dramas-abc-acts-of-crime-production-commitment-untitled-cdc-project-put-pilot-1234586824/ |access-date=October 3, 2020 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} in January 2021, a pilot was ordered for the first of those shows, Acts of Crime, but was not picked up by the network.{{Cite web |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=February 3, 2021 |title=Sam Esmail ABC Pilot 'Acts of Crime' Casts Candace Grace in Lead Role, Adds Three Other Regulars |url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/sam-esmail-abc-pilot-acts-of-crime-cast-candace-grace-1234899807/ |access-date=March 2, 2021 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last1=Petski |first1=Nellie Andreeva,Denise |last2=Andreeva |first2=Nellie |last3=Petski |first3=Denise |date=May 14, 2021 |title=ABC Pilots Update: Drama 'Acts Of Crime', Comedies 'Black Don't Crack', 'Bucktown' Not Moving Forward |url=https://deadline.com/2021/05/abc-pilots-update-drama-acts-of-crime-comedies-black-dont-crack-bucktown-not-moving-forward-1234756614/ |access-date=July 29, 2021 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} In February 2020, it was also announced that Esmail would be producing a new television series with Homecoming collaborator Julia Roberts based on the Slow Burn podcast's coverage of the Watergate scandal.{{Cite web |last=Crucchiola |first=Jordan |date=February 21, 2020 |title=Julia Roberts, Armie Hammer to Star in Slow Burn Podcast TV Adaptation |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/02/julia-roberts-armie-hammer-join-slow-burn-watergate-series.html |access-date=February 21, 2020 |website=Vulture |language=en-us}} Titled Gaslit, production began in Spring 2021 and it premiered on Starz in April 2022.{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=February 22, 2021 |title='Gaslit': Julia Roberts & Sean Penn-Fronted Watergate Drama Lands At Starz, Joel & Nash Edgerton Exit, Matt Ross Joins As Director & EP |url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/gaslit-julia-roberts-sean-penn-watergate-drama-starz-joel-nash-edgerton-exit-matt-ross-joins-1234698013/ |access-date=March 2, 2021 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} Also in 2020, it was announced that Esmail would direct a film adaptation of the novel Leave the World Behind for Netflix starring Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke and Myha'la Herrold.{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=July 20, 2020 |title=Netflix Wins Julia Roberts-Denzel Washington-Sam Esmail Package 'Leave The World Behind' Based On Rumaan Alam's Upcoming Novel |url=https://deadline.com/2020/07/netflix-julia-roberts-denzel-washington-sam-esmail-leave-the-world-behind-auction-rumaan-alam-novel-1202989464/ |access-date=March 2, 2021 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} Production began in April 2022, at which time it was announced that Barack and Michelle Obama's Higher Ground Productions had joined the project as producers.{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=April 14, 2022 |title=The Obamas' Higher Ground Boards Sam Esmail's Netflix Pic 'Leave The World Behind' |url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/higher-ground-boards-sam-esmails-netflix-pic-leave-the-world-behind-1235002731/ |access-date=2022-05-11 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}

In June 2021, it was announced that Peacock had picked up The Resort, a darkly comedic television series which features true crime stories that took place at resorts.{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Rick |date=June 2, 2021 |title=Sam Esmail, 'Palm Springs' Writer Land Drama 'The Resort' at Peacock |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/sam-esmail-palm-springs-writer-resort-series-peacock-1234961862/ |access-date=July 29, 2021 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} First announced in 2020, Esmail, who serves as executive producer, developed the project with screenwriter Andy Siara.{{Cite web |last=Thorne |first=Will |date=February 13, 2020 |title=UCP Developing Dark Comedy Series From Sam Esmail, 'Palm Springs' Writer |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/ucp-sam-esmail-dark-comedy-series-palm-springs-writer-1203503459/ |access-date=February 18, 2020 |website=Variety |language=en}} The eight episode series went into production in 2022.

In November 2021 Peacock announced that Esmail is also developing a series for the Battlestar Galactica franchise for NBCU with Michael Lesslie as showrunner.{{Cite web |date=September 17, 2019 |title='Battlestar Galactica' Reboot From Sam Esmail in the Works at NBCU's Streamer |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/battlestar-galactica-reboot-sam-esmail-works-at-nbcus-streamer-1239018 |access-date=November 5, 2019 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=May 4, 2020 |title='Battlestar Galactica': Michael Lesslie To Write & Exec Produce Peacock Reboot Of Sci-Fi Franchise |url=https://deadline.com/2020/05/battlestar-galactica-michael-lesslie-showrunner-peacock-reboot-1202923668/ |access-date=March 2, 2021 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} In July 2024 it was announced that the development of the series has been cancelled.{{Cite web |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=2024-07-31 |title=‘Battlestar Galactica’ Reboot No Longer in the Works at Peacock (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/battlestar-galactica-reboot-canceled-peacock-1236091898/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}

In March 2022, Apple ordered to series the television adaptation of the 1927 sci-fi classic Metropolis, to be written, directed, and produced by Esmail. The project was first revealed in 2016.{{Cite web |title=METROPOLIS |url=https://www.esmailcorp.com/television/metropolis/ |access-date=November 5, 2019 |website=www.esmailcorp.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=March 1, 2022 |title='Metropolis' TV Adaptation From Sam Esmail Lands Series Order At Apple |url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/metropolis-drama-series-sam-esmail-series-order-apple-1234968396/ |access-date=2022-05-11 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} On June 18, 2023, it was announced the project was canceled.{{cite web | url=https://deadline.com/2023/06/metropolis-tv-series-dead-writers-strike-sam-esmail-ucp-apple-tv-plus-production-costs-1235419899/ | title='Metropolis' TV Series Not Going Forward Amid Writers Strike & Mounting Pre-Production Costs | date=June 19, 2023 }}

In development

Since 2018, Esmail has been developing a film with Universal Pictures and Mr. Robot star Rami Malek based on the memoir American Radical: Inside the World of an Undercover Muslim FBI Agent by Tamer Elnoury and Kevin Maurer; the story centers on a Muslim FBI agent working for the agency post-9/11.{{Cite web|title=AMERICAN RADICAL|url=https://www.esmailcorp.com/television/american-radical/|access-date=November 5, 2019|website=www.esmailcorp.com|language=en-US}} Two years following the initial announcement, in September 2020, it was announced that screenwriter Nazrin Choudhury is attached to pen the film.{{Cite web|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=September 17, 2020|title=Nazrin Choudhury Tapped To Pen 'American Radical' For Universal, Sam Esmail And Rami Malek|url=https://deadline.com/2020/09/nazrin-choudhury-american-radical-universal-sam-esmail-rami-malek-1234577303/|access-date=October 7, 2020|website=Deadline|language=en-US}} As of 2019, Esmail and Malek were also working together on another undisclosed project.

In February 2020, it was announced that Esmail would develop one of the initial projects for Condé Nast's new Wired Studio; called Tell Tale Heart, his film is based on the 2019 Wired article of the same name.{{Cite web|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=February 12, 2020|title=Condé Nast Entertainment Shifting to Publication-Based Studio Structure for TV, Film Projects|url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/conde-nast-entertainment-publication-studios-tv-film-1203501369/|access-date=February 18, 2020|website=Variety|language=en}} He began developing television series The American Throne with director Julius Onah in 2021.{{Cite web|last=White|first=Peter|date=June 28, 2021|title='The American Throne' Drama Series From Julius Onah & Sam Esmail In The Works At UCP|url=https://deadline.com/2021/06/the-american-throne-series-sam-esmail-julius-onah-ucp-1234782764/|access-date=July 29, 2021|website=Deadline|language=en-US}} Other projects in various stages of pre-production include a miniseries based on an ensemble comedy False Alarm produced with Paul Feig, and a Coast Guard-centered procedural.{{Cite web|title=FALSE ALARM|url=https://www.esmailcorp.com/television/false-alarm/|access-date=November 5, 2019|website=www.esmailcorp.com|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=August 13, 2020|title='So Others May Live' Coast Guard Drama Series From Stephen Meinen & Sam Esmail In the Works At UCP|url=https://deadline.com/2020/08/so-others-may-live-stephen-meinen-sam-esmail-coast-guard-drama-ucp-1203012652/|access-date=March 2, 2021|website=Deadline|language=en-US}} As of 2019, he is also producing a scripted podcast series for the UCP Audio network called This End Up.{{Cite web|title=Universal Content Productions Launches Podcast Network With Sam Esmail Original|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/universal-content-productions-launches-podcast-network-sam-esmail-original-1252468|access-date=November 7, 2019|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=November 5, 2019 |language=en}}

File:Homecoming 13 (44747938721).jpg in 2018]]

In August 2015, Esmail became engaged to actress Emmy Rossum after dating for two years.{{cite web |url=http://www.people.com/article/emmy-rossum-engaged-sam-esmail-shameless-mr-robot |title=Emmy Rossum Engaged to Mr. Robot Creator Sam Esmail |work=People|date=August 31, 2015 | access-date= August 31, 2015|archive-date=March 23, 2017| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20170323065708/http://people.com/tv/emmy-rossum-engaged-to-sam-esmail/ |url-status=live}} He had directed her in his debut film, Comet.{{cite web | url = http://www.interfaithfamily.com/arts_and_entertainment/popular_culture/Hollywood_Now_Mila_Talks_Parenthood_Breaking_Bads_Saul_Gets_Spinoff.shtml | title=Hollywood Now: Mila Talks Parenthood & Breaking Bad's Saul Gets a Spinoff| publisher= InterfaithFamily | first=Gerri|last= Miller|date=February 5, 2015|access-date= July 1, 2016 | archive-date= February 9, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150209020706/http://www.interfaithfamily.com/arts_and_entertainment/popular_culture/Hollywood_Now_Mila_Talks_Parenthood_Breaking_Bads_Saul_Gets_Spinoff.shtml | url-status=live}} The two married on May 28, 2017, at the Central Synagogue in New York City.{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/style/emmy-rossum-marries-sam-esmail-wedding/|title=Emmy Rossum Marries Mr. Robot Creator Sam Esmail — See Her Wedding Weekend Pics|website=PEOPLE.com}}{{Cite web |title=Emmy Rossum highlights issue of Jewish stereotypes in Hollywood casting |url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/emmy-rossum-highlights-issue-of-jewish-stereotypes-in-hollywood-casting-632952 |access-date=2022-11-19 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en-US}} They have two children: a daughter (born May 2021){{cite web |title=Surprise! Emmy Rossum Welcomes Baby Girl with Husband Sam Esmail — and Shares Photos from Pregnancy! |url=https://people.com/parents/emmy-rossum-welcomes-baby-girl-with-husband-sam-esmail/ |website=People |access-date=May 26, 2021}} and a son (born April 2023).{{Cite web |title=Emmy Rossum announces birth of son |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/06/entertainment/emmy-rossum-birth-son/index.html |access-date=2023-05-10 |website=CNN |date=April 6, 2023 |language=en}}

Esmail is fluent in Arabic, notably giving part of his acceptance speech at the Golden Globes in the language.{{Cite web |date=2016-01-12 |title=Mr. Robot creator says "Shukran" to family after Golden Globe Award |url=http://www.arabamericannews.com/2016/01/12/Mr-Robot-creator-says-%e2%80%9cShukran-to-family-after-Golden-Globe-Award/ |access-date=2022-11-19 |website=ArabAmericanNews |language=en-US}}

Esmail suffers from social anxiety disorder and credits his wife Rossum in helping him with it.

Esmail divides his time between New York City and Los Angeles.{{Cite web|url=https://www.esmailcorp.com/|title=Esmail Corp|website=www.esmailcorp.com|language=en-US|access-date=November 5, 2019}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{IMDb name|id=1322753|name=Sam Esmail}}
• {{cite web|url=http://blog.afi.com/the-afi-interview-mr-robot-creator-sam-esmail/| title=The AFI Interview: MR. ROBOT Creator Sam Esmail| date=December 1, 2015|access-date= April 10, 2017| publisher=American Film Institute}}

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• Comet (2014)
• Leave the World Behind (2023)
• Panic Carefully (TBA)

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Category:Living people

Category:1977 births

Category:Writers from Gloucester County, New Jersey

Category:Film directors from New Jersey

Category:American male television writers

Category:American television writers

Category:American people of Egyptian descent

Category:Film producers from New Jersey

Category:Tisch School of the Arts alumni

Category:AFI Conservatory alumni

Category:Muslims from New Jersey

Category:Writers from Hoboken, New Jersey

Category:Television producers from New Jersey

Category:People from Washington Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey

Category:Washington Township High School (New Jersey) alumni