Zander Lehmann

Alexander "Zander" Sutton Lehmann (born July 13, 1987) is the creator, writer, and producer of the TV show Casual.

Early life and education Lehmann was born into a Jewish family in Santa Monica, California, the son of director Michael Lehmann and Holland Sutton. He has a younger sister. In 2009, Lehmann graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, where he played baseball, with a psychology degree. He sold the film to Focus Features, with Morgan Neville attached to direct.

Lehmann got his start as a staff writer on the 2016 MTV show The Shannara Chronicles. The show is co-produced with Helen Estabrook, Liz Tigelaar, and Jason Reitman – who directed the pilot as well as other episodes. It stars Michaela Watkins and Tommy Dewey as sister and brother, and Tara Lynne Barr as Watkins's daughter.

Lehmann said that Casual was inspired by his relationship with his sister, with whom he lived with for three years during their parents' divorce, and who started dating his best friend.

The series is unique in the industry as, in addition to executives and writers who are women, the majority of the episodes are directed by women. Directors include Lake Bell, Carrie Brownstein, Marielle Heller, Karyn Kusama, Gillian Robespierre, and Lynn Shelton. The show was positively received. Casual was nominated for a 2016 Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy.

Filmography 2015–2018: Casual (TV series) – Creator, writer, producer 2016: The Shannara Chronicles (TV series) – Writer (1 episode: "Pykon")