Bethany Rooney

In an environment where the vast majority of dramas on television are directed by men, Bethany Rooney has beat the odds and enjoyed a long and esteemed career. She has directed over two hundred and fifty episodes of prime-time network shows, including recent ones of Law & Order SVU, Chicago Med, and Tracker. For streaming TV, she has directed Criminal Minds: Evolution. She began her directing career on the 1980’s iconic television show, St. Elsewhere, where she had served as associate producer.

She has also directed eight television movies, including three Danielle Steel adaptations for NBC. Her movies have earned reviews such as the following from Variety: “Bethany Rooney’s sensitive direction makes for some vivid and understated moments,” and the Hollywood Reporter noted her “carefully paced and involving direction (featuring) magnificent acting.” She has directed Oscar winners and contenders Denzel Washington, Hilary Swank, Mary Tyler Moore, Angela Bassett, George Clooney, Alfre Woodard, Felicity Huffman, Sally Field, and Robert Downey Jr., among many others. Ms. Rooney also wrote the television movie “Absolution” which aired on Lifetime Television.

Ms. Rooney graduated from Bowling Green State University in Ohio with a masters’ degree. She taught multiple studio and network programs, including Warner Bros. and NBC/Universal. She has also taught in the Masters program at USC. She is a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and has served in numerous positions for the Directors Guild of America, including the National Board and the Western Directors Council.

Ms. Rooney lives with her husband and son in Los Angeles.