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Silver Tree

Silver Tree (born 1976 or 1977) is an American television and film director, producer, and writer from Petaluma, California. Known for her work on Netflix's ''Dead to Me''—where she executive produced and directed multiple episodes including the pilot—and episodes of ''You'', she has also directed for HBO Max's ''The Flight Attendant'', Paramount+'s ''Fatal Attraction'', and other series such as ''Suits'' and ''Shameless''. In June 2024, Tree signed with CAA for representation following her contributions to high-profile projects.

Early life

Childhood in Petaluma

Silver Tree was born in , to parents Scott Tree and Susan Tree (née Fullam). She spent the early years of her childhood in this Sonoma County city, a place noted for its and rural charm. At age seven, Tree relocated with her family to Monte Rio, marking the end of her time growing up in . Little additional detail is publicly available about her experiences during this formative period, though her roots in the area later influenced her early creative pursuits.

Education and early interests

Silver Tree was born in 1977 in , to parents Scott and Susan Tree. At age seven, she moved with her family to Monte Rio, a small town in Sonoma County. Raised in a liberal household, Tree developed an early interest in and , influenced by her parents' encouragement of independent experiences; she later recalled, "I had liberal parents and got to travel on my own. I always knew I wanted to see the world." Details on her formal education are limited, but Tree attended and , where she studied biochemistry. After completing her studies, she discovered the flight attendant profession by chance while accompanying a friend to interviews in and entered the role to fulfill her , initially based there before transferring to , where she worked for several years and visited numerous countries. Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, Tree was furloughed from her position for six months, during which she wrote her first , The Aviary, a semi-autobiographical story based on her experiences as a . Tree's early creative pursuits extended to , though she was largely self-taught in technical aspects like script supervision, learning through books and on-set opportunities after transitioning from to the entertainment industry. Her initial foray into writing marked the beginning of her passion for storytelling, which she channeled into producing and directing independent projects.

Career

Entry into the industry

Following her furlough as a after the September 11, 2001 attacks, Silver Tree entered the entertainment industry by co-writing and producing the independent film The Aviary (2005), a semi-autobiographical dramedy about the lives of that she self-financed on a modest $25,000 budget alongside her husband, Abe Levy. This project marked her initial foray into filmmaking, drawing directly from her personal experiences in to explore themes of , , and transience. Tree then transitioned into on-set roles by taking a crash course in script supervision and securing her first position on a low-budget movie shot in a , where she honed her skills through extensive script analysis and collaboration with directors. She built her early career as a , serving as a "co-pilot" to prominent filmmakers including , , and , which provided her with invaluable insights into directing workflows and production dynamics. This experience extended to television, where she the sitcom Suburgatory (2011–2014), created by , allowing her to immerse herself in episodic storytelling. Her shift to directing began during an off-season from , when she co-directed her feature debut Deep Dark Canyon (2013) with , a about a family's survival after a hunting accident that premiered at film festivals and highlighted her ability to manage tense, character-driven narratives on a limited budget. Impressed by this work, Kapnek offered Tree her first television directing credit on an episode of , propelling her into episodic TV as a producing and opening doors to genre-diverse series like and . This rapid ascent from supervisory roles to helming episodes underscored her strategic networking and practical preparation in the competitive landscape of television production.

Television directing highlights

Silver Tree's television directing career gained prominence through her extensive work on the legal drama Suits, where she served as producing director for multiple seasons and helmed 10 episodes between 2014 and 2018, contributing to the show's signature blend of high-stakes drama and character interplay. Her directing on marked a shift toward edgier comedies, as she acted as producing director for the final season on Showtime in 2020–2021, navigating the challenges of protocols such as reduced crew proximity and abbreviated shooting schedules to maintain the series' raw, ensemble-driven energy across four episodes. Tree's involvement with You on elevated her profile further; as and for eight episodes across seasons 2 and 3 (2019–2021), she captured the psychological thriller's "insane" exploration of obsession and domesticity, adapting to pandemic-era virtual scouting and masked performances while emphasizing the complex dynamics between leads and . In Dead to Me, Tree directed the final two episodes of season 2 (2021), masterfully balancing the show's "traumedy" tone—coined by creator —through intricate stunts, emotional cliffhangers, and the poignant reunion of stars and after their real-life separation due to health issues. She continued building her reputation with on HBO Max, directing several episodes of season 1 (2020), where her character-focused approach amplified the series' mix of mystery and dark humor. More recently, Tree directed five episodes of the Paramount+ thriller (2023), including key installments that heightened its tense psychological undertones, and executive produced and directed one episode of the Max medical drama (2025), showcasing her versatility in fast-paced, high-concept narratives.

Producing and writing contributions

Silver Tree's writing and producing career initially focused on independent cinema, where she collaborated closely with her husband, director and writer Abe Levy. In 2005, she co-wrote and co-produced The Aviary, a semi-autobiographical inspired by her years as a , depicting the lives of four women sharing an apartment while navigating their high-flying profession. The $25,000 feature was self-financed and independently distributed by the couple, marking an early milestone in Tree's hands-on approach to storytelling and production. Tree continued this partnership in 2013 with Deep Dark Canyon, a she co-wrote, co-directed, and produced. The explores themes of and survival as two teenage brothers flee retribution after a fatal mishap in their small town. Praised for its tense pacing and low-budget ingenuity, the project highlighted Tree's ability to blend personal collaboration with genre elements, earning recognition at film festivals. In television, Tree's producing contributions have emphasized executive oversight on acclaimed series, often intersecting with her directing work to shape narrative tone and visual style. She served as an on Netflix's You across its first three seasons (2018–2021), contributing to the psychological thriller's exploration of obsession and identity while helming key episodes that amplified its suspenseful atmosphere. For HBO Max's season 2 (2022), Tree acted as for all eight episodes, guiding the show's blend of dark comedy and mystery as it delved deeper into protagonist Cassie Bowden's chaotic world. Her involvement ensured cohesive production amid complex location shoots and ensemble dynamics. Tree expanded her producing role in 2023 as executive producer and director for Paramount+'s limited series, where she helmed the pilot and several episodes, adapting the iconic to examine modern relationships and obsession with a focus on psychological depth. This project underscored her impact on prestige adaptations, collaborating with Alexandra Cunningham to maintain narrative intensity. In her most recent endeavor, Tree served as producing director for Netflix's No Good Deed (2024), a black comedy created by Liz Feldman about families competing for a seemingly perfect home rife with hidden secrets. She directed the pilot episode, "Open House," which sets the series' satirical tone on suburban facades and personal betrayals, while providing creative direction throughout production.

Recent projects and representation

In recent years, Silver Tree has expanded her directing portfolio with high-profile television projects across major streaming platforms. She directed one episode of the The Pitt (2025), a Max series created by R. Scott Gemmill and executive produced by John Wells and , focusing on the high-stakes environment of a hospital. Her work on the series contributed to its ensemble-driven narrative, emphasizing realistic depictions of . Additionally, Tree helmed two episodes of Suits LA (2025), the spin-off of the legal drama franchise on , which explores corporate intrigue in . Tree also executive produced and directed the pilot for Prime Video's young adult series Off Campus (upcoming 2026), with production ongoing as of late 2025, and directed a block of episodes for Netflix's anthology No Good Deed (2024), which premiered in December 2024 and features an ensemble cast including and . In August 2025, she was announced as director for the Hulu comedy-drama pilot Pretty Ugly, starring and written by Kirker Butler, under . These projects highlight Tree's versatility in handling tonal shifts from to comedy, often collaborating with established showrunners like on No Good Deed. Regarding representation, Tree signed with () in June 2024 for representation in all areas, following her previous affiliation with other agencies. This move aligns with her growing profile in television directing and producing, positioning her for further opportunities in scripted content across broadcast and streaming.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Silver Tree was born to parents Scott Tree and Susan Tree in . She is married to Abraham Levy, a director and cinematographer based in Tomales, . The couple, who have collaborated professionally including on writing projects, attended the 2018 wedding of Harry and Meghan Markle together. Tree and Levy share two children: a son named Foxton, born on November 23, 2010, and a daughter named . One of their children received support from close family friends during a challenging .

Friendships and public persona

Silver Tree maintains a relatively private personal life, with her most prominent friendship being with . The two met on the set of the legal drama Suits, where Tree directed ten episodes between 2013 and 2018, and their bond formed quickly through shared professional experiences. Tree has described Meghan as one of her "nearest and dearest" friends, expressing in a 2021 post that she "loved her madly" and highlighting their enduring connection despite Meghan's transition to royal life. Tree attended Meghan and Prince Harry's 2018 wedding with her husband, Abraham Levy, underscoring the depth of their relationship; the couple resides near the Sussexes in , facilitating ongoing closeness. In the 2022 Netflix docuseries , Tree appeared as a vocal supporter, portraying herself as a "protective" friend who has witnessed Meghan's character firsthand amid public scrutiny and allegations, such as claims. She shared anecdotes of Meghan's kindness on set, emphasizing her natural, trusting demeanor as an actor and dismissing negative narratives as unfounded. Beyond this high-profile alliance, Tree's friendships appear rooted in her Hollywood circles, though she rarely discusses them publicly. Colleagues, including showrunners like Liz Feldman from Dead to Me, have praised her collaborative spirit, suggesting strong professional bonds that extend personally, but specific details remain scarce due to her low-key approach. Tree's public persona is one of discretion and loyalty, contrasting with the visibility of her directing credits on series like You and The Flight Attendant. She avoids the spotlight outside her work, using social media sparingly for professional updates and subtle endorsements of close friends, which reinforces her image as a steadfast, behind-the-scenes figure in entertainment. This reserved nature was evident in her limited media appearances, where she prioritizes defending loved ones over self-promotion.

Filmography

Television directing

Silver Tree established herself as a versatile in the , beginning with episodes of procedural and series such as (2018) and (2014). Her early work demonstrated a knack for handling intricate narratives, building on her prior experience as a , which she describes as serving as a "co-pilot" to directors by providing detailed and insights. This foundation allowed her to transition seamlessly into helming episodes across genres, from family comedies to psychological thrillers. Tree's portfolio expanded significantly with credits on acclaimed shows like Shameless (2011–2018), where she directed four episodes, including serving as producing director for the final season. In this capacity, she adapted to pandemic-era production challenges, such as coordinating masked performers via headsets and conducting virtual location scouts to maintain safety while preserving the show's chaotic energy. She has also directed multiple episodes of Netflix's You (2018–2021), totaling eight, often while contributing as an executive producer; her work on season 3 explored themes of marriage and parenthood amid the series' signature suspense. Similarly, for Dead to Me (2019–2022), Tree helmed the final two episodes of season 2, focusing on the evolving friendship between leads Jen and Judy, balancing dark humor with emotional depth in a "traumedy" style— a term she attributes to showrunner Liz Feldman for its blend of trauma and comedy. Her direction emphasized strong actor collaborations, trusting performers like Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini to deliver nuanced arcs, while managing technical elements like stunts and cliffhangers. In addition to these Netflix highlights, Tree directed several episodes of HBO Max's (2020–2022) in its second season, contributing to the show's stylish, high-stakes tone. Her broader credits encompass a diverse of networks and platforms, including CBS's SEAL Team (2018), ABC's (2018) and The Fix (2019), USA's Pearson (2019) and Suits (2019), Freeform's (2018), Fox's (2018), and Netflix's (2018) and (2018). These projects showcase her ability to adapt to ensemble dynamics and tonal shifts, from military procedurals to coming-of-age stories. Tree's approach prioritizes character complexity and efficient collaboration, often drawing on her script supervision roots to ensure cohesive storytelling under tight schedules. More recently, Tree took on elevated roles, directing and executive producing the pilot and additional episodes of Netflix's No Good Deed (2024), a dark comedy created by Dead to Me's Liz Feldman, and episodes of the medical drama The Pitt (2025) starring Noah Wyle. In 2022, she directed and executive produced season 1 of Paramount+'s Fatal Attraction reboot, starring Joshua Jackson and Lizzy Caplan, further cementing her reputation for guiding prestige adaptations with psychological intensity. She also directed an episode of Suits LA (2025). Throughout her career, Tree has directed over 25 television episodes, emphasizing flawed, relatable characters and innovative problem-solving in evolving production environments.

Producing and writing credits

Silver Tree's producing credits span both television and independent film, often overlapping with her directing roles on high-profile series. She served as executive producer on Netflix's No Good Deed (2024), a limited series created by Liz Feldman, where she also directed the pilot and multiple episodes. In addition, Tree executive produced the first season of Paramount+'s Fatal Attraction (2023), a reimagining of the 1987 film, contributing to its production alongside showrunner Alexandra Cunningham. Her television producing work includes serving as executive producer on HBO Max's The Flight Attendant (season 2, 2022), where she helped oversee the darkly comedic thriller starring Kaley Cuoco. She also held executive producer credits on Netflix's You (seasons 2–3, 2019–2021), a psychological thriller series, and Showtime's Shameless (select episodes, 2011–2021). In film, Tree's producing contributions began early in her career with The Aviary (2005), an independent drama loosely based on her experiences as a , which she co-produced with her husband Abe Levy. Another key project was Deep Dark Canyon (2013), a thriller she co-produced alongside her writing and directing duties. Tree's writing credits are primarily in independent cinema, reflecting her collaborative style with partner Abe . She co-wrote the screenplay for Deep Dark Canyon (2013), a tense family revenge story set in a rural community, which premiered at film festivals and received praise for its taut pacing. Earlier, Tree penned the original screenplay for The Aviary (2005), drawing from personal anecdotes to craft a narrative about ambition and relationships in the aviation industry. These works highlight her focus on character-driven stories in limited budgets, marking her transition from scriptwriting to broader production roles.

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