By Springer Tebeau, Schieffer Associate 2024
Katherine Beattie ’08
Katherine Beattie, a 2008 TCU graduate and accomplished TV writer and producer, knew she wanted a career in television from a young age. Growing up in Los Angeles, Katherine spent her high school days backstage at “The Tonight Show,” sparking a passion that would guide her through her studies in Radio-Television-Film (now known as FTDM) at TCU.
Although her college choice initially seemed spontaneous, a quick campus tour and an invitation from TCU ultimately led her to Fort Worth. Katherine found herself deeply connected to the community, shaping her path in ways she never anticipated.
After landing early roles on shows like “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and “Californication,” she broke into TV writing, eventually working on “NCIS: New Orleans,” where she rose to writer and producer.
Today, Katherine draws on the friendships, life lessons, and story inspirations she discovered at TCU as she builds her own shows, staying closely connected to her Horned Frog roots.
Tell me about yourself. What is your background? What brought you to TCU?
I am originally from Los Angeles, and thanks to spending a few tapings backstage at “The Tonight Show,” I knew by the end of high school that I wanted to work in television. That meant I’d be living here for the rest of my life, so I wanted to use college as an opportunity to experience something different. My twin sister and I were both looking at colleges in Texas, but TCU wasn’t even on my radar until I went with her on a campus tour.
Immediately upon setting foot on campus, it felt like the right fit. I ended up getting a scholarship, and since the application was early action, I decided I was going to enjoy the rest of my senior year of high school rather than applying to other schools. I got into UT Austin and UC Davis as well, but TCU was the easy choice. I realize this story makes it sound like I went to TCU on a whim, but it really was down to that feeling I got when I stepped on campus that first time.
TCU is a special place.
What did your career path look like after graduation?
Between junior and senior year of college, I interned at “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and was offered a job there soon after graduation. I worked at Ellen for a year before realizing talk Sshows weren’t for me, and that I really wanted to work in scripted.
I quit that job, started studying TV writing at UCLA extension and found an office assistant job on a show called “Californication” on Showtime. I worked at “Californication” and various other showtime shows for four years, then was lucky enough to land a job as the script coordinator on the first season of “NCIS: New Orleans.” NCIS: NOLA was where I got my first script, and where I ultimately became a writer and producer. That show went for seven seasons, after which I worked on “The Mothership NCIS.” I recently left “NCIS” and am now focused on developing my own shows.
What at TCU made you feel the most prepared for your career?
When you’re on the writing staff of a scripted television show, writing is actually just a small portion of the job. You may write two to three episodes a year, but the rest of the time you’re sitting around a table with six to eight other people for 10 hours a day, five days a week, trying to create a cohesive season of television.
So it’s imperative that you’re easy to get along with, open to other people’s experiences and able to read the room.
I think meeting people from so many different walks of life at TCU – whom I would not have met had I decided to stay in California – really prepared me to work well with others, look at things from a different point of view and gave me a wealth of life experience to bring into my storytelling.
Did you know what you wanted to do when you came to TCU? How did you decide?
I knew from the start that I was going to study Radio-Television-Film, move back to L.A. and work in the TV industry. I had to choose a minor for my degree and after a registration mistake meant I had to take a second religion class, I found myself a third of the way toward a religion minor and so I kept going. My religion classes ended up being among my favorites at TCU. While I am no longer religious, I still use a lot of the themes and concepts I learned there in my work as a TV writer.
What’s one piece of advice you have for current students?
“Enjoy it! You’ll never have the opportunity to try as many new things, meet as many new people, or make as many memories as you will in college”.
As an alumnus, has TCU helped you in your career after you left?
Yes! TCU has a great alumni network. The LA chapter is small but mighty. I’ve enjoyed staying in touch with my professors and still collaborate on projects with [FTDM Professor] Richard Allen. Hopefully you’ll see our names on your TV screens soon.