UTA TV Literary Agent Joins Nicholas Sparks

Elise Henderson, a TV literary agent with UTA, is the latest staffer to depart the agency. Henderson is leaving to become head of the television division at the newly created Nicholas Sparks Productions, according to Deadline.

Earlier this week UTA agent Tobin Babst announced he was leaving the firm for a management position with Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment.

Sparks founded his production company in April with Theresa Park, his New York-based literary agent. It reportedly has a two-year development deal with Warner Horizon Television, a cable division of Warner Bros. Television Group that’s produced several literary-based series, including “Rizzoli & Isles” for TNT and “Pretty Little Liars” for ABC Family.

Henderson spent three years at UTA after joining the firm from William Morris Agency, where she’d been laid off following the WMA-Endeavor merger, according to Variety. Her WMA career began in 2002 in the mailroom of the firm’s New York office.

Sparks, a best-selling author of several novels that were adapted into films, touted Henderson’s arrival.

“We are absolutely thrilled by Elise’s decision to shepherd our brand-new television venture,” he told Deadline. “Her energy, skills and wide-ranging industry relationships are already yielding incredible opportunities for NSP in the world of television.”

Just as Babst’s departure garnered a friendly quote from UTA management, the company also wished Henderson well.

“Elise will be a terrific steward of the Nicholas Sparks brand in television,” Jay Sures, UTA’s managing director, told the site. “She’s been a great part of the UTA team, and fortunately it won’t feel like she has traveled far.”