He has created and/or produced a number of television series including The Shield (2002–2008), The Unit (2006–2009), Lie to Me (2009–11), Timeless (2016–2018), S.W.A.T.

The award included a $25,000 cash gift and meetings with Columbia's top television producers.

[citation needed] Ryan was set to executive produce Confessions of a Contractor,[3] a 2009 CBS television pilot based on Richard Murphy's book of the same name.

In January 2013, CBS picked up Beverly Hills Cop, an hourlong crime procedural with comedic elements, with Ryan on board to pen the script and executive produce along with his MiddKid Productions partner Marney Hochman and Eddie Murphy.

The potential series was a follow-up to the Murphy franchise and centered on Foley's son, Aaron (played by Brandon T. Jackson), a cop working in Beverly Hills as he tries to escape his famous father's shadow.