Deborah Aquila’s expansive career has included a multitude of distinguished positions, including Senior Vice President of Features Casting for Paramount Pictures. In March 2020, Aquila returned to Paramount Television Studios (PTVS) as Executive Vice President and Head of Casting for the studio. Since rejoining the studio in 2020 Aquila has led casting efforts for the studio’s tentpole series including THE OFFER, GREASE: RISE OF THE PINK LADIES and FATAL ATTRACTION all for Paramount+ and the global sensation Tom Clancy’s “Jack Ryan” on Prime Video. In January 2023 Aquila expanded her role to include oversight of casting for CBS Studios making her the singular head of Casting for both studios. At CBS Studios, Aquila oversaw casting of CBS’s upcoming new dramas MATLOCK, starring Oscar® winner Kathy Bates, and ELSBETH, featuring Carrie Preston and Wendell Pierce, and new comedy series POPPA’S HOUSE, starring Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr.

 

Beginning as a casting director with Steven Soderbergh’s “Sex, Lies, and Videotape,” Aquila continued to build her respected reputation through her work on “Last Exit to Brooklyn,” “The Shawshank Redemption” and “Primal Fear,” among others. Aquila’s recent film and television credits include the Academy Award-winning “CODA” and “La La Land,” in addition to the critically acclaimed series “Dexter” (SHOWTIME), “The Shield” (FX) and “Mob City” (TNT).

 

Aquila is a proud member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Casting Society of America (CSA) and has been nominated 18 times for the Artios Award by the CSA, winning for the features “Red,” “My Week with Marilyn,” “CODA” and “La La Land.” Aquila was awarded the CSA’S Hoyt Bowers Award for Career Achievement in 2020. The 2021 Sundance Film Festival honored “CODA” with the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast.

 

In 2003, Aquila was recognized by the Hollywood community with the Hollywood Film Festival Career Achievement Award.