Ex-Shaw exec returns to CBC

A former director of original drama at Shaw Media has returned to Canadian pubcaster CBC as executive director of scripted content.

Tara Ellis will start on October 19, overseeing CBC’s scripted content teams across comedy and drama, children’s and digital originals. She will report to Sally Catto, CBC general manager of programming.

Ellis returns to CBC after a 15-year gap, during which time she has earned a strong reputation in scripted. At Shaw Media she oversaw original drama and comedy for the group’s general entertainment channel Global and specialty nets Showcase and History Channel, commissioning shows such as Rookie Blue for Global and Vikings for History.

Before that she was Alliance Atlantis VP of content for Showcase, responsible for acquisitions, original production and scheduling for the premium cable channel.

“The scripted team under Sally has been developing and commissioning exciting, entertaining and relevant work at a time when the role of the national broadcaster has never been more crucial,” Ellis said.

“I’m thrilled at the prospect of working with the independent community to continue to make CBC the go-to home for great creative talent and projects in Canada.”

Ellis started her TV drama career at CBC in 1994, where she became executive in charge of production, with responsibility for longform development and production of movies, miniseries and feature films.

She has been named by Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail as one of the 40 most influential persons in Canadian television for nurturing new talent, and earned the Women In Film & Television Crystal Award for Creative Excellence in 2012. Ellis has also served as board member and co-chair of WIFT-T, and as industry advisor to the Banff Media Festival, among other roles.

“Tara is one of Canada’s leading media executives and her incredible reputation, creative expertise, relationships with the independent community and leadership experience will undoubtedly serve her well in this role,” said Catto.

“Not only will she bring a fresh new perspective, but also an impressive track record to CBC’s already stellar scripted line-up.”