Damages

Todd A. Kessler, Co-Creator and Executive Producer of Damages, wrote and produced the second and third seasons of HBO's The Sopranos; Michael Mann's Robbery Homicide Division, and the first season of NBC's Providence. Kessler began his career as a playwright working with David Rabe, and segued into film and television when Spike Lee hired him as a screenwriter. Kessler graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard University with a degree in Dramatic Literature and Playwriting, and has twice been a Visiting Artist at Harvard, teaching screenwriting seminars.In addition to writing and executive producing Damages, Kessler has also acted in and directed several episodes of the series. He has been nominated for seven Emmys and three Golden Globe Awards. Most recently, Kessler was nominated for a 2009 Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series on behalf of Damages, in addition to the show’s 2009 Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Drama Series.

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In addition to writing and executive producing Damages, Kessler has also acted in and directed several episodes of the series.

Todd Kessler headshot in blue and red striped button down with red and white image background and half his face shadowed

Todd A. Kessler | Damages on FX

Todd A. Kessler | Executive Producer, Creator, Writer | Damages on FX

About

Cast and Crew

Glenn Close portrays high-stakes litigator "Patty Hewes," who finds herself back in the national spotlight nine months after her triumph in the UNR case. Now, as court-appointed trustee responsible for tracking down assets swindled from investors in the largest financial fraud in U.S. history, Patty faces her most formidable adversary, the Tobin family. While her bare-knuckle tactics have earned her a top spot in the pantheon of American lawyers, Patty’s personal life may never recover.

Glenn Close as Patty Hewes in FX's Damages, in black fur coat and black dress

Rose Byrne stars as "Ellen Parsons," who left Hewes &amp; Associates for a new job in the legal profession after the UNR case. Finally free from Patty Hewes and the demands of high-stakes litigation, she is able to live a more balanced life. But when Ellen realizes her new boss is more interested in locking up criminals than protecting victims, she is forced to interact with Patty Hewes and confront their shared destiny.

Rose Bryne as Ellen Parsons in FX's Damages, in black coat with grey concrete wall in background

Tate Donovan stars as "Tom Shayes," Patty Hewes’ longtime lieutenant, who is now an equal partner in the law firm. While working on the Tobin case, Tom makes an unwelcome discovery and will stop at nothing to set things right.

Tate Donovan as Tom Shayes in FX's Damages, in blue pinstripe suit

Campbell Scott stars as "Joe Tobin," whose world fell apart when his father confessed that their family’s investment business was a complete fraud. Now, Joe Tobin must decide whether to lead his family forward by cooperating with Patty Hewes’ investigation or circle the wagons and fight Patty Hewes’ attempts to destroy his family’s future.

Campbell Scott as Joe Tobin in FX's Damages, in black coat, standing outside with dark red lighting on wall behind him

Martin Short stars as "Leonard Winstone," who has been the Tobin family’s trusted attorney and counselor for decades. Now that Patty Hewes is investigating them, the Tobins will need his support more than ever. But Winstone may have an agenda of his own.

Martin Short as Leonard Winstone in FX's Damages, in brown coat and white button down

Glenn Kessler headshot in blue jacket and blue button down with red and white graphic image background

Daniel Zelman headshot in black jacket with red and white image background of stone sculptures

Mark Baker headshot in black jacket with red and white graphic image background

Aaron Zelman headshot in black jacket and blue button down with red and white graphic image of stone sculpture in background