Elizabeth Meriwether

Biography

Elizabeth Hughes Meriwether (born October 11, 1981) is an accomplished American writer, producer, and television showrunner who has made a significant mark in the entertainment industry.   

Born in Miami, Florida, Meriwether's family relocated to Detroit and then Ann Arbor, Michigan, during her childhood. Her father, Heath J. Meriwether, was the publisher of the Detroit Free Press, and her mother was a painter. Although she initially aspired to be an actress, Meriwether discovered her passion for playwriting after penning her first play.

She pursued her academic interests at Yale University. It was during her time there that her playwriting career began to take shape.   

Meriwether's career gained momentum with her plays Heddatron (2006) and The Mistakes Madeline Made (2006). Another notable play, Oliver Parker! (2010), further showcased her talent. A significant turning point came when a showcase of her plays in Los Angeles featured a young Emma Stone, whom Meriwether credits as being pivotal to her career trajectory.   

Moving to Los Angeles, Meriwether developed a play called Sluts. This was later adapted into a television pilot as part of a program aimed at helping playwrights transition to television. Although the pilot was not picked up, it established Meriwether's distinctive comedic voice.   

In 2011, Meriwether achieved mainstream success as the writer of the romantic comedy film No Strings Attached, starring Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher. Following this, she created the critically acclaimed Fox sitcom New Girl, starring Zooey Deschanel. The show, which aired for seven seasons (2011-2018) and comprised 146 episodes, garnered numerous award nominations, including Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy Awards. Meriwether also directed several episodes of New Girl.   

Beyond New Girl, Meriwether created the ABC sitcoms Single Parents (2018-2020) and Bless This Mess (2019-2020), further demonstrating her versatility in comedy. In a departure from comedy, she created the Hulu drama miniseries The Dropout (2022), which received critical acclaim and several accolades, including a Producers Guild of America Award.   

In 2025, Meriwether is set to premiere Dying for Sex, a miniseries for FX that she co-created, wrote, and executive produced.   

Meriwether is also part of "The Fempire," a collective of female screenwriters including Dana Fox, Diablo Cody, and Lorene Scafaria. In 2012, the group received the Athena Film Festival Award for Creativity and Sisterhood.   

Known for her feminist perspective, Meriwether has also engaged in stand-up comedy and participated in productions of The Vagina Monologues.   

Elizabeth Meriwether's career showcases her talent for creating engaging and nuanced stories across various genres, establishing her as a prominent figure in contemporary American entertainment.