Next Gen

Mike White attends The Hollywood Reporter's Next Gen class of 2012 party in Los Angeles on Wednesday, November 7.

Eliza Coupe, Daman Wayans Jr.

Eliza Coupe and Daman Wayans Jr. pose for a picture at THR's event. Several cast members of Happy Endings appeared at the event in support of showrunner David Caspe, who was one of this year's honorees.

Next Gen

The Hollywood Reporter celebrates the Next Gen class of 2012 with a party in Los Angeles on Wednesday, November 7. The Next Gen reception — sponsored by Samsung and A&E — welcomed such 2012 recipients as Bachelorette director Leslye Headland, Chicago Fire and Zero Dark Thirty star Taylor Kinney and Happy Endings showrunner David Caspe.

Class Photo

The Next Gen class of 2012 poses for their class photo.

Casey Wilson, Leslye Headland

Actress Casey Wilson poses with filmmaker Leslye Headland. “It was a big, big thrill and a big honor for me. And a little surreal, too,” Headland said of being on the list. “If you’ve been reading and watching it for a while – to be actually a part of it now is sort of incredible.”

Next Gen

“I think it’s really cool because it showcases everyone in the industry,” said Next Gen honoree Dakota Johnson, who stars on Fox’s Ben and Kate. “It’s not just ‘Young Hollywood’ and being an actor. It’s directors and agents and everyone that makes this all work.”

Daman Wayans Jr., David Caspe and Jon Silk

Daman Wayans Jr., David Caspe and Jon Silk pose for a photo. “They’re very nice to come and get a free drink,” Caspe joked about his cast attending the event.

Taylor Kinney

Taylor Kinney stars in new TV series Chicago Fire, and will appear in upcoming film Zero Dark Thirty. "I got a call from my manager, and looking it up and seeing what I was a part of, and introduced to, it was an honor," he said of being on the list. "I’m stoked."

Leslye Headland

Leslye Headlund, whose raunchy female comedy Bachelorette was released September, said she had been following THR’s Next Gen list for years, especially since she rose through the ranks after being an assistant to Harvey Weinstein.

Casey Wilson, Ian Durney

Casey Wilson and Ian Durney attended the event on Wednesday night. The event celebrated THR’s annual list of the 35 fastest rising stars 35 and under in the entertainment industry.

Next Gen

Damon Wayans Jr. attended The Hollywood Reporter's Next Gen event in support of Happy Endings showrunner David Caspe. Wayans arrived at the event directly from the set of the ABC comedy, and was still wearing glitter from a scene he shot that day.

Molly Shannon, Casey Wilson

Actresses Molly Shannon and Casey Wilson pose together at THR's event held at 7213 Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles on Wednesday night.

Casey Wilson

Casey Wilson, who plays Penny Hartz on the ABC comedy series Happy Endings, poses on the carpet before THR's Next Gen 2012 reception.

Next Gen 2012

Hollywood’s best and brightest mingled with top executives – such as the Gersh Agency’s Bob Gersh, CAA's Richard Lovett and David O'Connor, ICM's Chris Silbermann and Greg Lipston, and USA Network president Jeff Wachtel – and talent — including Mike White, Molly Shannon and Jon Lovett — at the event held at 7213 Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles on Wednesday night.

David Caspe

Honoree David Caspe told THR that he'd received plenty of emails and phone calls about his inclusion on the list. “People are very excited, which makes me a little embarrassed, but I’m very happy."

Phaneuf, Wayans, Coupe, Cuthbert

Professional ice hockey player Dion Phaneuf, actors Damon Wayans Jr., Eliza Coupe and Elisha Cuthbert pose for a photo. Wayans, Coupe and Cuthbert are currently shooting the third season of their comedy Happy Endings.

Nicole Clemens

Nicole Clemens, senior VP series development at FX, attends The Hollywood Reporter's event honoring its Next Gen Class of 2012. Clemens was featured on THR's Women in Entertainment Power 100 list of 2011.

Adam Bartley, Jordan Wall, Tana Jameison, Bailey Chase

Adam Bartley, Jordan Wall, A&E executive Tana Jameison and actor Bailey Chase attend The Hollywood Reporter's event, which was sponsored by A&E.

Next Gen

The Next Gen reception — sponsored by Samsung and A&E — took place in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Nov. 7.

"It’s very cool. I’m sure there’s much more talented people than me that deserve to be on here but I appreciate it," Happy Endings showrunner –and Next Gen Honoree– David Caspe told THR.

Michael Kives and Janice Min

CAA agent –and Next Gen honoree– Michael Kives poses with The Hollywood Reporter editorial director Janice Min.

Next Gen

Listmaker Sophia Rossi and her UTA agent –and a 2011 Next Gen honoree– Jenny Maryasis pose for a picture on the red carpet.

Next Gen

Listmakers Michael Kives (of CAA) and Michael Lasker (of Mosaic), who share fellow Next Gen honoree (and 1600 Penn co-creator) Jon Lovett as a client, pose on the red carpet early in the evening.

Next Gen

FX exec and Next Gen honoree Kate Lambert celebrates with her architect husband Michael on the red carpet.

Next Gen

Color Forces' Bryan Unkeless and Legendary's Jillian Zaks, both listmakers, join 2011 honoree David Ready of Di Bonaventura Pictures on the party's back patio.

Next Gen

RipCord's David Bernad, FunnyOrDie's Mike Farah and The Rachel Maddow Show's Mike Yarvitz chat inside the party. Bernad and Yarvitz are new additions to the Next Gen ilst; Farah was inducted in 2010.

Next Gen

UTA's Josh Hornstock, RipCord's Daivd Bernad and actress Molly Shannon, who will appear in the upcoming season of Bernad's Enlightened, catch up at the Next Gen party.

Next Gen

20th TV Animation's Grant Gish celebrated his addition to the Next Gen list with girlfriend Laudan Kermani.

Next Gen

Next Gen photographer Austin Hargrave posted with friend and listmaker Matt King, VP drama development at Warner Bros. TV.