UNIVERSAL TELEVISION SIGNS "HAMILTON" PRODUCER JEFFREY SELLER AND TV PRODUCER FLODY SUAREZ TO PRODUCTION DEAL

Seller Is a Multiple Tony Award Winner Who Produced "Rent," "Avenue Q," "In the Heights" as Well as Revivals of "La Boheme" and "West Side Story"

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - May 23, 2016 - Universal Television has signed a production deal with esteemed "Hamilton" producer Jeffrey Seller and producing partner Flody Suarez to produce upcoming projects for the studio.

"I'm so pleased to have Universal Television in business with one of the theater's leading producers, Jeffrey Seller, and his producing partner, Flody Suarez," said Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Television. "Jeffrey's spectacular track record on Broadway and his knack for finding and nurturing brilliant new talent, such as the creative forces behind 'Rent,' 'Avenue Q,' 'In the Heights' and 'Hamilton,' is nothing short of remarkable. There is more and more cross-pollination these days from theater to television, especially at NBC, and we're excited to see where he and Flody's instincts and talent relationships will go in the world of television."

"I've been obsessed with storytelling since the fourth grade," said Seller. "Having now spent over 30 years telling stories on stage, I'm excited by the opportunity Bob has given me (and Flody) to stretch my muscles and apply my craft to television. I couldn't be happier to be with NBCUniversal."

Added Suarez: "I started my TV career at NBC and am thrilled to be back working with old friends at my first home."

NBC has been leading the charge in televising Broadway productions to a broadcast audience. In 2013, the network aired "The Sound of Music Live!" to nearly 22 million viewers. That was followed by "Peter Pan Live!" and "The Wiz Live!" On Dec. 7, NBC will air "Hairspray Live!" and in early 2017 the network will bring viewers Aaron Sorkin's "A Few Good Men Live!"

As a producer, Seller has won several Tony Awards - 1996 Best Musical, "Rent"; 2004 Best Musical, "Avenue Q"; and 2008 Best Musical, "In the Heights." He was also the producer for two Tony-nominated productions for Best Revival of a Musical: "La Boheme" (2003) and "West Side Story" (2009).

Currently, Seller is a producer of one of Broadway's all-time biggest sensations, "Hamilton." The musical, which stars Lin-Manuel Miranda and who also wrote the book, music and lyrics, was recently nominated for a record 16 Tony nominations.

Suarez is currently a consultant on "Full Frontal with Samantha Bee" and recently consulted for Sony on NBC's drama "The Blacklist." He has produced several TV series, including "8 Simple Rules," "The Tick" and "The Book of Daniel."

Previously, as VP of development at NBC, Suarez worked on many shows, including "ER" and "Just Shoot Me."

Universal Television is one of the largest and most successful television production companies in the United States. The studio currently produces more than 20 primetime series as well as late night and reality programs for a variety of network, cable, and digital platforms. Acclaimed series produced by Universal Television include "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," "The Path," "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," "The Mindy Project," "Master of None," "Bates Motel," "Chicago Fire," "Chicago P.D." and "Chicago Med," among numerous others, and all of NBC's successful late-night programs. Universal Television is a division of NBCUniversal, which develops, produces and markets the best entertainment, news and information to a global audience.