Lance Avery Morgan
From House Of The Dragon And Friday Night Lights To Bill Lawrence, Brooke Shields, And An Unforgettable Celebration Of Television’s Past, Present, And Future, ATX TV Festival’s 15th Season Proved Once Again Why Austin Remains TV’s Most Welcoming Stage
Images courtesy of ATX Festival, author
For four spirited days this past weekend in downtown Austin, the 15th annual ATX TV Festival transformed the Texas capital into television’s living room, bringing together creators, actors, writers, executives, critics, and devoted fans for a celebration that was equal parts industry summit, reunion tour, and love letter to the medium itself, as our TV-loving insider Lance Avery Morgan reports.
Since its founding by the dynamo duo of Caitlin McFarland and Emily Gipson, ATX TV Festival has carved out a unique place in the entertainment landscape by prioritizing conversation over convention and connection over spectacle. Season 15 demonstrated exactly why that formula continues to resonate. Here are some of the highlights…
The festival opened with an impressive slate of exclusives and sneak peeks, including HBO Max’s highly anticipated first look at Season 3 of House of the Dragon. Fans were treated to footage from the much-discussed Battle of the Gullet months before the series returns to screens. USA Network also unveiled Anna Pigeon, introducing audiences to the upcoming drama through a conversation with star Tracy Spiridakos, showrunner Morwyn Brebner, and director Lea Thompson.
A highlight that everyone enjoyed was the Pluto TV badge holder lounge, which included demos on the next phase of the dynamic streaming service owned by Paramount Pictures, as well as photobooth opportunities to incorporate oneself into promotional images from its hit shows like The X-Files, The 100, and Hart of Dixie.
One of Thursday’s most delightful surprises arrived during a conversation with Brooke Shields and Amalia Williamson for Acorn TV’s You’re Killing Me, when Shields revealed that the series had officially been renewed for a second season, sending attendees into celebration mode.
The festival’s second day belonged to one of television’s most beloved dramas. The 20-year reunion of Friday Night Lights brought together cast members Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, Adrianne Palicki, executive producer Jason Katims, David Hudgins, and other familiar faces for an emotional homecoming. In a city and state deeply woven into the series’ DNA, the reunion served as both a tribute to the show’s enduring impact and a reminder that “clear eyes, full hearts” remains more than a catchphrase; it is a cultural touchstone.
Two favorite happenings on Friday included former NBC honcho Warren Littlefield appearing in a Q&A chat before receiving the Creative Impact Award, and the All Creatures Great and Small panel with Nicholas Ralph, EP Sharon Moran, and animal coordinator and trainer Jill Clark.
Friday also showcased television’s evolving future. Peacock’s breakout workplace comedy The Paper gave audiences an insider’s look at its upcoming second season, featuring creators Greg Daniels and Michael Koman, along with cast members Sabrina Impacciatore, Chelsea Frei, Oscar Nuñez, and Melvin Gregg. Meanwhile, Emmy-winning writer Greg Iwinski brought his sharp wit to A Late Night Show, proving that television’s next generation of voices is already making its mark.
Saturday may have been the festival’s most star-studded day. Acclaimed producer and showrunner Bill Lawrence received ATX’s inaugural Showrunner Award before taking the stage with an all-star lineup that included Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, Donald Faison, Connie Britton, Michael Urie, and Scott MacArthur. The conversation highlighted the collaborative spirit that has fueled some of television’s most beloved comedies and dramas.
Comedy fans were equally rewarded during Everybody (Still) Loves Raymond, celebrating the sitcom’s 30th anniversary with creator Phil Rosenthal, star Ray Romano, and members of the show’s writing team. The panel delivered exactly what audiences hoped for: laughter, behind-the-scenes stories, and a reminder that great comedy never goes out of style.
Additional Saturday highlights included a Parenthood reunion featuring Jason Katims, David Hudgins, Peter Krause, and Sarah Ramos, as well as a packed panel for Criminal Minds: Evolution, complete with exclusive footage and conversations with Erica Messer, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, Paget Brewster, and A.J. Cook.
The festival concluded Sunday with a fitting tribute to television history. A special 75th Anniversary Script Reading of I Love Lucy brought classic television back to life with Constance Zimmer as Lucy, Wilson Cruz as Ricky, Ever Carradine as Ethel, and Scott MacArthur as Fred. The performance served as a poignant reminder that while television continually reinvents itself, its most beloved stories remain timeless.
Other final-day highlights included a 10-year reunion of Sweet/Vicious, a look inside CBS’s Marshals, conversations surrounding FX’s Adults, and a Hallmark screening of The Way Home.
Throughout the weekend, ATX TV Festival maintained its signature balance of nostalgia and innovation. Conversations ranged from casting and music supervision to procedural storytelling, medical accuracy, streaming disruption, independent television, audience fandom, and the next generation of creators. Industry veterans shared stages with emerging voices, while students and aspiring storytellers found opportunities to learn directly from some of television’s most accomplished professionals.
What continues to distinguish ATX TV Festival is its belief that television is ultimately about people… the people who create it, the people who perform it, and the audiences who invite those stories into their homes. In an era often dominated by algorithms and analytics, ATX remains refreshingly human.
As Season 15 drew to a close, attendees left with exclusive previews, cherished memories, and renewed optimism about television’s future. If the conversations, reunions, premieres, and standing ovations throughout the weekend were any indication, television’s next great chapter is already being written, and Austin remains one of its most important gathering places.
15 Memorable Moments From ATX TV Festival Season 15…
- First footage from House of the Dragon Season 3.
- Brooke Shields announcing You’re Killing Me’s Season 2 renewal.
- The emotional 20-year Friday Night Lights reunion.
- Bill Lawrence receiving the inaugural ATX Showrunner Award.
- Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, and Donald Faison reuniting onstage.
- Phil Rosenthal and Ray Romano celebrating 30 years of Everybody Loves Raymond.
- The first look at USA Network’s Anna Pigeon.
- Peacock’s The Paper teasing Season 2.
- Criminal Minds: Evolution unveiling exclusive new footage.
- Parenthood’s heartfelt reunion panel.
- The red-carpet screening of Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed.
- Greg Iwinski’s crowd-pleasing late-night comedy set.
- The I Love Lucy 75th Anniversary Script Reading.
- Sweet/Vicious celebrating its 10th anniversary.
- Hundreds of creators, fans, and industry leaders gathering to celebrate television in Austin.
