The Academy has named Raj Kapoor to return as executive producer and showrunner for the 97th Oscars, CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang announced Monday that Katy Mullan will be back as executive producer, and Hamish Hamilton will return as director.
This is Kapoor and Mullan’s second time as executive producers and Hamilton’s fifth time directing the Oscars, which air March 2 on ABC from the Dolby Theater in Hollywood.
Also returning are production designers Misty Buckley and Alana Billingsley, who won an Emmy for the show last year, and red carpet show executive producer David Chamberlin.
Music director Michael Bearden joins the team for the first time. Bearden was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Music Direction for the Super Bowl LI Halftime Show with Lady Gaga and “One Last Time: An Evening with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga” and has served as music director for the Primetime Emmys and Grammy Awards.
“We are thrilled to announce the return of our incredibly dynamic and creative Oscars team, Raj, Katy, Hamish, Misty, Alana and Dave. And we are thrilled to announce the addition of the brilliant Michael Bearden,” Kramer and Yang said in a statement. “Their love of cinema, their collective creative vision and their unparalleled expertise in live television make them the perfect team to create an exceptional show for our global audience on the film industry’s biggest night.”
“We are thrilled to once again lead the brilliant Oscars production team and work with the Academy and Disney/ABC to help create an unforgettable evening of television for film lovers around the world,” said Kapoor and Mullan. “We hope to continue to inspire and connect new generations to share our love for the art of filmmaking and celebrate all the incredible artists nominated for an Oscar this year.”
“Last year’s show was a huge success, thanks in no small part to the creative vision of Raj, Katy, Hamish and their teams,” said Rob Mills, executive vice president, Unscripted and Alternative Entertainment, Walt Disney Television. “We are thrilled to have them back and can’t wait to see what lies ahead for the 97th broadcast.”