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 talent 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.

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 Mother, 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.