Matt Olmstead is an American writer and producer for television shows.
Biography
Early life
Olmstead graduated from
California State University, Chico
California State University, Chico, or commonly, Chico State, is a public university in Chico, California. Founded in 1887, it is the second oldest campus in the California State University system. As of the fall 2020 semester, the university had ...
in 1988. He is an alumnus of the College of
Humanities
Humanities are academic disciplines that study aspects of human society and culture. In the Renaissance, the term contrasted with divinity and referred to what is now called classics, the main area of secular study in universities at the t ...
and
Fine Arts
In European academic traditions, fine art is developed primarily for aesthetics or creative expression, distinguishing it from decorative art or applied art, which also has to serve some practical function, such as pottery or most metalwork ...
. He went to Hollywood in hopes of being a script writer. Olmstead eventually worked with an agent, who set him up with
Steven Bochco
Steven Ronald Bochco Masterson (December 16, 1943 – April 1, 2018) was an American television writer and producer. He developed a number of television series, including ''Hill Street Blues'', ''L.A. Law'', ''Doogie Howser, M.D.'', ''Cop Rock'' ...
. After 10 minutes of talking, Bochco offered him the opportunity to write an episode for the show ''
NYPD Blue
''NYPD Blue'' is an American police procedural television series set in New York City, exploring the struggles of the fictional 15th Precinct detective squad in Manhattan. Each episode typically intertwines several plots involving an ensemble c ...
''.
Career
In 1993, Olmstead wrote for the television series ''
NYPD Blue
''NYPD Blue'' is an American police procedural television series set in New York City, exploring the struggles of the fictional 15th Precinct detective squad in Manhattan. Each episode typically intertwines several plots involving an ensemble c ...
''. The series was created by
Steven Bochco
Steven Ronald Bochco Masterson (December 16, 1943 – April 1, 2018) was an American television writer and producer. He developed a number of television series, including ''Hill Street Blues'', ''L.A. Law'', ''Doogie Howser, M.D.'', ''Cop Rock'' ...
and
David Milch
David Sanford Milch (born March 23, 1945) is an American writer and producer of television series. He has created several television shows, including ABC's ''NYPD Blue'' (1993-2005), co-created with Steven Bochco, and HBO's '' Deadwood'' (2004-20 ...
. It focused on a single homicide unit in New York City. Olmstead eventually became an Executive Producer of ''NYPD Blue'', and became a Producer in 2002.
Olmstead worked as a writer on the series ''
Brooklyn South
''Brooklyn South'' is an American ensemble police drama television series that aired on CBS for one season from September 22, 1997, to April 27, 1998. It was aired during the 1997–98 television season. The series was co-created by Steven Boc ...
'' in 1997. The series was created by Milch and Bochco along with
William M. Finkelstein
William M. Finkelstein is an American screenwriter, television producer, actor and television director.
He has worked as a writer and producer on ''Law & Order'', ''Brooklyn South'', '' Murder One'', '' L.A. Law'', '' Cop Rock'', ''NYPD Blue'', a ...
and ex-police officer
Bill Clark William Clark (1770–1838) was an American soldier and explorer; governor of Missouri Territory.
William Clark may also refer to:
Business
* W. H. Clark (brewer) (William Henry Clark, c. 1815–c. 1870), brewer in South Australia
* William Bell ...
. The show detailed the lives of a single precinct of police patrol officers. Olmstead wrote four episodes for the series first season. The series was canceled after completing its first season.
He also worked as a writer and producer for ''
NYPD 2069
The New York City Police Department (NYPD), officially the City of New York Police Department, established on May 23, 1845, is the primary municipal law enforcement agency within the New York City, City of New York, the largest and one of ...
'' in 2004. In 2005, he was one of the creators of the show ''
Blind Justice''. He wrote the Pilot and Episode 3. The show was canceled in June 2005 after just 13 episodes.
In 2012, Olmstead joined ''
Chicago Fire'' as an executive producer. In 2014, he co-created the spin-off ''
Chicago P.D.
The Chicago Police Department (CPD) is the municipal law enforcement agency of the U.S. city of Chicago, Illinois, under the jurisdiction of the City Council. It is the second-largest municipal police department in the United States, behind th ...
''.
Though Olmstead was initially the "writer/showrunner" for ''
Law & Order: Organized Crime'', he stepped down in October 2020.
''Stumptown'' (1 episode) (2019)
* 1.02 “Missed Connections” (October 2, 2019)
''The Crossing'' (1 episode) (2018)
*1.09 "Hope Smiles from the Thereshold" (writer)
''Chicago P.D.'' (2014–present)
Olmstead is the co-creator of ''
Chicago P.D.
The Chicago Police Department (CPD) is the municipal law enforcement agency of the U.S. city of Chicago, Illinois, under the jurisdiction of the City Council. It is the second-largest municipal police department in the United States, behind th ...
'' alongside
Dick Wolf
Richard Anthony Wolf (born December 20, 1946) is an American film and television producer, best known for his Law & Order (franchise), ''Law & Order'' franchise. Since 1990, the franchise has included six police/courtroom dramas and four internat ...
, and acts as the show's showrunner. He has written a number of episodes and is an executive producer on every episode.
* 1.01 – "Stepping Stone" (January 8, 2014)
* 1.12 – "8:30 pm" (April 30, 2014) (story co-written with Dick Wolf, teleplay by
Michael Brandt
Michael Brandt (born October 1, 1968) is an American writer and director.
Life and career
Brandt is an alumnus of Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where as an undergrad he earned a BBA and in graduate school earned Master of Arts in Communicat ...
&
Derek Haas
Derek Haas (born June 30, 1970) is an American writer and producer.
Life and career
Derek Haas attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he earned both his B.A. and M.A. in English Literature. He lives in Los Angeles, and has made a na ...
)
* 2.01 – "Call It Macaroni" (September 24, 2014)
* 2.07 – "They'll Have to Go Through Me" (November 11, 2014) (story co-written with Dick Wolf, teleplay by Maisha Closson)
* 2.17 – "Say Her Real Name" (March 25, 2015) (story co-written with Dick Wolf, teleplay by Craig Gore & Tim Walsh)
* 2.20 – "The Number of Rats" (April 29, 2015) (story co-written with
Warren Leight
Warren Donald Leight (; born January 17, 1957) is an American playwright, screenwriter, film director and television producer. He is best known for his work on ''Law & Order: Criminal Intent'' and '' Lights Out'' and as the showrunner for ''In ...
, teleplay co-written with Cole Maliska)
''Chicago Fire'' (2012–present)
Olmstead is the showrunner of ''
Chicago Fire'', joining the show as an executive producer after the show's pilot.
Olmstead has written a number of episodes and is an executive producer from episode 2 onwards.
* 1.03 – "Professional Courtesy" (October 24, 2012)
* 1.12 – "Under the Knife" (January 9, 2013) (co-written with Ryan Rege Harris)
* 1.14 – "A Little Taste" (February 6, 2013) (co-written with
Hilly Hicks, Jr.)
* 1.17 – "Better to Lie" (February 27, 2013) (co-written with Ryan Rege Harris)
* 1.21 – "Retaliation Hit" (May 1, 2013) (co-written with Hilly Hicks, Jr.)
* 1.22 – "Leaders Lead" (May 8, 2013) (story co-written with
Dick Wolf
Richard Anthony Wolf (born December 20, 1946) is an American film and television producer, best known for his Law & Order (franchise), ''Law & Order'' franchise. Since 1990, the franchise has included six police/courtroom dramas and four internat ...
, teleplay by
Michael Brandt
Michael Brandt (born October 1, 1968) is an American writer and director.
Life and career
Brandt is an alumnus of Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where as an undergrad he earned a BBA and in graduate school earned Master of Arts in Communicat ...
&
Derek Haas
Derek Haas (born June 30, 1970) is an American writer and producer.
Life and career
Derek Haas attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he earned both his B.A. and M.A. in English Literature. He lives in Los Angeles, and has made a na ...
)
* 1.23 – "Let Her Go" (May 15, 2013) (story co-written with Dick Wolf, teleplay by Michael Brandt & Derek Haas)
* 2.04 – "A Nuisance Call" (October 15, 2013) (co-written with Hilly Hicks, Jr.)
* 2.16 – "A Rocket Blasting Off" (March 11, 2014) (co-written with Hilly Hicks, Jr.)
* 2.18 – "Until Your Feet Leave the Ground" (April 8, 2014) (co-written with
Mick Betancourt)
* 2.20 – "A Dark Day" (April 29, 2014) (story co-written with Dick Wolf, teleplay by Michael Brandt & Derek Haas)
* 2.22 – "Real Never Waits" (May 13, 2014) (co-written with Derek Haas)
* 3.07 – "Nobody Touches Anything" (November 11, 2014) (teleplay co-written with Jill Weinberger, story by Dick Wolf and Jill Weinberger)
* 3.14 – "Call It Paradise" (February 10, 2015) (co-written with Michael A. O'Shea)
* 3.17 – "Forgive You Anything" (March 10, 2015) (story co-written with Dick Wolf, teleplay by
Andrea Newman)
* 3.19 – "I Am the Apocalypse" (April 7, 2015) (story co-written with Dick Wolf, teleplay by Michael Brandt & Derek Haas)
* 3.21 – "We Called Her Jellybean" (April 28, 2015) (story co-written with Tiller Russell, teleplay by Tiller Russell)
''Prison Break'' (13 episodes)
Olmstead is credited for being a writer and an executive producer for the successful
Fox network
The Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly known simply as Fox and stylized in all caps as FOX, is an American commercial broadcast television network owned by Fox Corporation and headquartered in New York City, with master control operations an ...
's television series, ''
Prison Break
''Prison Break'' is an American serial (radio and television), serial drama television show, television series created by Paul Scheuring for Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox. The series revolves around two brothers, Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purce ...
''.
* 1.04 – "
Cute Poison
"Cute Poison" is the fourth episode of the first season of the television series '' Prison Break''. It first aired on September 12, 2005 in the United States. The episode is directed by Matt Earl Beesley and written by series producer Matt Olmstea ...
" (September 12, 2005) (written)
* 1.14 – "
The Rat" (March 20, 2006) (written)
* 1.19 – "
The Key" (April 24, 2006) (co-written with Zack Estrin, story by
Paul Scheuring
Paul T. Scheuring (born November 20, 1968) is an American screenwriter and director of films and television shows. His work includes the 2003 film ''A Man Apart'' and the creation of the television drama '' Prison Break'', for which he was also ...
)
* 1.21 – "
Go" (May 8, 2006) (written)
* 2.02 – "
Otis" (August 28, 2006) (written)
* 2.14 – "
John Doe
John Doe (male) and Jane Doe (female) are multiple-use placeholder names that are used when the true name of a person is unknown or is being intentionally concealed. In the context of law enforcement in the United States, such names are often ...
" (January 22, 2007) (co-written with
Nick Santora
Nick Santora (born 1970) is a writer and producer born in Queens, New York. He won the Best Screenplay of the Competition in the New York City Independent International Film Festival. He has also written and/or produced ''The Sopranos'', ''The ...
)
* 2.16 – "
Chicago
(''City in a Garden''); I Will
, image_map =
, map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago
, coordinates =
, coordinates_footnotes =
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name ...
" (February 5, 2007) (co-written with Nick Santora)
* 2.21 – "
Fin Del Camino
"Fin Del Camino" is the 43rd episode of the US television series, ''Prison Break'' and is the 21st episode of its second season. The English translation of the Spanish phrase, "fin del camino", is ''end of the road''. Written by Matt Olmstead and ...
" (March 26, 2007) (co-written with Seth Hoffman)
* 3.02 – "
Fire/Water" (September 24, 2007) (written)
* 3.10 – "
Dirt Nap" (January 21, 2008) (co-written with Seth Hoffman)
* 3.13 – "
The Art of the Deal" (February 18, 2008) (co-written with Seth Hoffman)
* 4.01 – "
Scylla
In Greek mythology, Scylla), is obsolete. ( ; grc-gre, Σκύλλα, Skúlla, ) is a legendary monster who lives on one side of a narrow channel of water, opposite her counterpart Charybdis. The two sides of the strait are within an arrow's r ...
" (September 1, 2008)
* 4.16 – "
The Sunshine State" (December 22, 2008) (co-written with
Nicholas Wootton
Nicholas Wootton is an American Emmy Award-winning television writer and producer. He has written for various TV shows, including ''Chuck'', '' Prison Break'', '' Law & Order'', '' NYPD Blue'', ''Scorpion'' and ''The Endgame''.
In 1998 he won t ...
)
* 4.22 – "
Killing Your Number
The fourth season of ''Prison Break'', an American serial drama television series commenced airing in the United States on September 1, 2008, on Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox. It consists of 24 episodes (22 television episodes and 2 straight to D ...
" (May 15, 2009) (co-written with
Nicholas Wootton
Nicholas Wootton is an American Emmy Award-winning television writer and producer. He has written for various TV shows, including ''Chuck'', '' Prison Break'', '' Law & Order'', '' NYPD Blue'', ''Scorpion'' and ''The Endgame''.
In 1998 he won t ...
)
''Breakout Kings'' (23 episodes)
Olmstead is credited with being a writer and an executive producer for
A&E's television series ''
Breakout Kings
''Breakout Kings'' is an American drama television series that aired on the A&E network. It is a production of Fox 21. The series was created, written, and executive-produced by Nick Santora and Matt Olmstead, who previously worked together on ...
''.
# Pilot (March 6, 2011) – executive producer , (written)
# Collected (March 13, 2011) – executive producer
# The Bag Man (March 20, 2011) – executive producer
# Out of the Mouths of Babes (March 27, 2011) – executive producer
# Queen of Hearts (April 3, 2011) – executive producer , (written)
# Like Father, Like Son (April 10, 2011) – executive producer
# Fun with Chemistry (April 17, 2011) – executive producer
# Steaks (April 24, 2011) – executive producer
# One for the Money (May 1, 2011) – executive producer
# Paid in Full (May 8, 2011) – executive producer
# Off the Beaten Path (May 15, 2011) – executive producer
# There Are Rules (May 22, 2011) – executive producer
# Where in the World Is Carmen Vega (May 30, 2011) – executive producer
# An Unjust Death (March 4, 2012) – executive producer
# Round Two (March 11, 2012) – executive producer
# Double Down (March 18, 2012) – executive producer
# Cruz Control (March 25, 2012) – executive producer
# Self Help (April 1, 2012) – executive producer
# I Smell Emmy (April 8, 2012) – executive producer
# Ain't Love (50) Grand? (April 15, 2012) – executive producer
# SEALd Fate (April 22, 2012) – executive producer
# Served Cold (April 29, 2012) – executive producer
# Freakshow (April 29, 2012) – executive producer
''Blind Justice'' (5 episodes)
* 1 – Pilot (March 8, 2005) (written)
* 3 – Rub a Tub Tub (March 22, 2005) (written)
* 8 – Past Imperfect (April 26, 2005) (written)
*11 – Dance with Me (May 17, 2005) (written)
*12 – Under the Gun (May 31, 2005) (written)
''NYPD Blue'' (71 episodes)
*6.10 – Show & Tell (January 12, 1999) (written)
*6.16 – T'aint Misbehavin (April 13, 1999) (written)
*7.06 – Brothers Under Arms (February 15, 2000) (written)
*7.09 – Jackass (February 29, 2000) (written)
*7.14 – Sleep Over (April 4, 2000) (written)
*7.17 – Roll Out the Barrel (April 25, 2000) (written)
*8.01 – Daveless in New York (January 9, 2001) (written)
*10.01 – Ho Down (September 24, 2002) – (produced)
*10.02 – You've Got Mail (October 1, 2002) (produced)
*10.03 – One in the Nuts (October 8, 2002) (produced)
*10.04 – Meat Me in the Park (October 15, 2002) (produced)
*10.05 – Death by Cycle (October 22, 2002) (produced)
*10.06 – Maya Con Dios (October 29, 2002) (produced)
*10.07 – Das Boots (November 12, 2002) (produced)
*10.08 – Below the Belt (November 19, 2002) (produced)
*10.09 – Half-Ashed (November 26, 2002) (produced)
*10.10 – Healthy McDowell Movement (December 10, 2002) (produced)
*10.11 – I Kid You Not (January 7, 2003) (produced)
*10.12 – Arrested Development (January 14, 2003) (produced)
*10.13 – Bottoms Up (February 4, 2003) (produced)
*10.14 – Laughlin All the Way to the Clink (February 11, 2003) (produced)
*10.15 – Tranny Get Your Gun (February 18, 2003) (produced)
*10.16 – Nude Awakening (February 25, 2003) (produced)
*10.17 – Off the Wall (April 8, 2003) (produced)
*10.18 – Marine Life (April 15, 2003) (produced)
*10.19 – Meet the Grandparents (April 29, 2003) (produced)
*10.20 – Maybe Baby (May 6, 2003) (produced)
*10.21 – Yo, Adrian (May 13, 2003) (produced)
*10.22 – 22 Skidoo (May 20, 2003) (produced)
*11.01 – Frickin' Fraker (September 23, 2003) (produced)
*11.02 – Your Bus, Ted (September 30, 2003) (produced)
*11.03 – Shear Stupidity (October 7, 2003) (produced)
*11.04 – Porn Free (October 14, 2003) (produced)
*11.05 – Keeping Abreast (October 21, 2003) (produced & written)
*11.06 – Andy Appleseed (October 28, 2003) (produced)
*11.07 – It's to Die For (November 4, 2003) (produced)
*11.08 – And the Wenner Is... (November 18, 2003) (produced)
*11.09 – Only Schmucks Pay Income Tax (November 25, 2003) (produced)
*11.10 – You Da Bomb (February 10, 2004) (produced & written)
*11.11 – Passing the Stone (February 17, 2004) (produced)
*11.12 – Chatty Chatty Bang Bang (March 2, 2004) (produced)
*11.13 – Take My Wife, Please (March 9, 2004) (produced)
*11.14 – Colonel Knowledge (March 16, 2004) (produced)
*11.15 – Old Yeller (March 23, 2004) (produced)
*11.16 – On the Fence (March 30, 2004) (produced)
*11.17 – In Goddess We Trussed (April 6, 2004) (produced)
*11.18 – The Brothers Grim (April 13, 2004) (produced)
*11.19 – Peeler? I Hardley Knew Her (April 20, 2004) (produced)
*11.20 – Traylor Trash (April 27, 2004) (produced)
*11.21 – What's Your Poison? (May 4, 2004) (produced)
*11.22 – Who's Your Daddy? (May 11, 2004) (produced)
*12.01 – Dress for Success (September 21, 2004) (produced)
*12.02 – Fish Out of Water (September 28, 2004) (produced)
*12.03 – Great Balls of Ire (October 12, 2004) (produced)
*12.04 – Divorce, Detective Style (October 12, 2004) (produced)
*12.05 – You're Buggin' Me (October 26, 2004) (produced)
*12.06 – The Vision Thing (November 9, 2004) (produced)
*12.07 – My Dinner with Andy (November 16, 2004) (produced)
*12.08 – I Like Ike (November 23, 2004) (produced)
*12.09 – The 3-H Club (November 30, 2004) (produced)
*12.10 – The Dead Donald (December 7, 2004) (produced)
*12.11 – Bale Out (December 14, 2004) (produced)
*12.12 – I Love My Wives, But Oh You Kid (December 21, 2004) (produced)
*12.13 – Stoli with a Twist (January 11, 2005) (produced)
*12.14 – Stratis Fear (January 18, 2005) (produced)
*12.15 – La Bomba (January 25, 2005) (produced)
*12.16 – Old Man Quiver (February 1, 2005) (produced)
*12.17 – Sergeant Sipowicz' Lonely Hearts Club Band (February 8, 2005) (produced)
*12.18 – Lenny Scissorhands (February 15, 2005) (produced)
*12.19 – Bale to the Chief (February 22, 2005) (produced)
*12.20 – Moving Day (March 1, 2005) (produced)
References
External links
*
California State University, Chico's articleon Matt Olmstead
BuddyTV Interview
{{DEFAULTSORT:Olmstead, Matt
American male screenwriters
American soap opera writers
Place of birth missing (living people)
Year of birth missing (living people)
American television producers
Living people
California State University, Chico alumni
American male television writers
Chicago (franchise)
Showrunners
20th-century American screenwriters
20th-century American male writers
21st-century American screenwriters
21st-century American male writers