Nat Geo bolsters scripted ranks

National Geographic Channel (NGC) in the US has poached Homeland producer Teakwood Lane’s head of television to oversee scripted development and production.

Hugh Fitzpatrick

Hugh Fitzpatrick is joining the network as VP of scripted development and production and will be based in LA, reporting to Nat Geo global scripted boss Carolyn Bernstein.

He joins from Homeland producer Howard Gordon’s production company Teakwood Lane, which is based at 20th Century Fox Television.

In addition to the hit Showtime drama, Teakwood Lane’s credits include Tyrant for FX and Second Chance, 24 and 24: Legacy for Fox.

From 2010 to 2012, Fitzpatrick served as VP of scripted programming at BBC Worldwide Productions, which produced series such as DaVinci’s Demons for Starz and Getting On for HBO.

Prior to that, Fitzpatrick was a television literary agent at WME, where he represented a variety of writers and directors on such shows as 30 Rock, Saturday Night Live, Friday Night Lights, 24, CSI and The Daily Show.

“Our scripted offerings will continue to support the brand and build on our push into premium science, adventure and exploration programming. I’ve had the privilege to have worked with Hugh previously and know first-hand that he is the perfect addition,” said Bernstein.

Fitzpatrick added: “National Geographic Channel is really making a mark in the television world with its move into premium programming, and this is an incredibly exciting time to be joining the team.”

NGC brought in former Shine America drama executive Bernstein in late 2015 as part of the factual outfit’s strategy to ramp up its scripted output.

The network recently ordered a drama pilot based on the true story of a black US detective and his squad during Prohibition, with Selma star David Oyelowo on board as an exec producer.