5 Panels and Screenings I’m Excited For At ATX Season 7

We’re just over a week out from one of the can’t-miss events of the summer for any television loving fan and I could not be more excited. One reason any TV fanatic goes to ATX Television Festival is because of the variety of panels and screenings. They have something for everyone, from panels on the inner-workings of the industry to premieres of new shows and even some screenings featuring old episodes of fan-favorites.

This year’s lineup features a breadth of programming that is right up my alley as a TV devotee. But one can only attend so many panels over the four-day festival. With that being said, here are some of the panels and screenings I’m most looking forward to and will definitely be attending:

Felicity Reunion (Sunday 6/10 at 12:00pm — Paramount Theatre)

Massive reunions of the casts of beloved shows are a staple of ATX TV Festival. Every year, the cast of a classic show reunites for what is usually the first time since the show originally wrapped. 

This year, the cast of the 90s show Felicity are getting back together, for one afternoon only. Keri Russell, Scott Speedman, Scott Foley, Tangi Miller, Amanda Foreman, Ian Gomez, Rob Benedict, and Greg Grunberg will all be in attendance as will director and producer Lawrence Trilling.

The reunion of one of television’s most noteworthy college dramas is sure to be the talk of ATX this year and I’m excited to be in attendance.

Younger (Sunday 6/10 at 2:00pm — Alamo Ritz 1)

Returning to ATX for the fourth year is one of my favorite shows, Younger. In addition to a sneak peek of 5×02, fans will be treated to a Q&A with creator Darren Star and stars Sutton Foster, Debi Mazar, Miriam Shor, Nico Tortorella, Peter Hermann, Molly Bernard and Charles Michael Davis. 

If you aren’t familiar with the show, Younger tells the story of Liza Miller, a recently divorced 40-year-old mother who, after being mistaken for younger than she really is, decides to take the chance to reboot her career and her love life as a 26-year old.

I got to see the panel last year and I’m super stoked to attend once again, this time with more of the cast in attendance. This has become an ATX standard for me and I’m super excited to maintain the tradition by attending again this year.

Everyone Is Doing Great (Sunday 6/10 at 10:00am — Alamo Ritz 1) 

Any One Tree Hill fan’s dream is to have some of the stars reunite and work together on another project. James Lafferty and Stephen Colletti are making that happen with their new independent pilot, Everyone Is Doing Great. 

What is the show about? The official description reads: “Seth and Jeremy enjoyed relative success from ‘Eternal’, a hit television vampire drama. Five years after their show has ended, they lean on each other as they struggle to reclaim their previous level of success and relevance, awkwardly navigating the perils of life and love amidst a humorously painful coming of age.”

At ATX, James and Stephen are not only screening the pilot but also participating in a Q&A in which they’ll discuss the process of creating the show and how shopping an independent pilot differs from the normal process of getting a television show made.

Inside the Writer’s Room: Power Dynamics (Saturday 6/9 at 4:45pm — Trinity Hall)

Ever since I started writing about the entertainment industry, I’ve been enamored with all things regarding a TV writers room. I’m always intrigued by why writers make the choices they do regarding a show’s plot and even what it’s like in a writers room in general.

This year, a panel titled “Inside The Writer’s Room: Power Dynamics” looks to deliver on the latter part. The panel will give television fans a “glimpse into the power dynamics that take place within the walls of a TV writers room, the struggles that come with them, and the ways they are changing in the current climate.”

On Duty (Friday 6/8 at 10:15am — Trinity Hall)

I’ve always been fascinated with what life is like for our country’s service members. Since I personally don’t know anyone who currently serves, I’ve tried to find out by reading what I could, especially about whether or not television’s portrayal is accurate. Based on what I’ve read, television doesn’t always accurately portray what happens overseas, but there are a lot of really well-done television shows that accurately depict that lifestyle (RIP The Night Shift).

I was really excited to see a panel on the schedule devoted to this topic. The writers, producers and consultants on this panel will “discuss their working partnerships, the objectives they are trying to portray in representing active military life, military culture, and the challenges they face when recreating service and reintegration storylines for mainstream audiences.” 

Attending this year’s festival? Let me know what panels you’re most excited about in the comments below.

This year’s festival takes place June 7-10, 2018. You can purchase a badge here. Follow the festival on Twitter to stay up-to-date on all of the different programs taking place during season seven!