Ex-Beyond, Seven Network exec Sonya Wilkes named chief content officer at Eureka 

LA- and Sydney-based production company Eureka Productions has named former Beyond Productions exec Sonya Wilkes as its new chief content officer.

Sonya Wilkes

Reporting to CEO Rikkie Proost, Wilkes will be responsible for leading the Fremantle-backed company’s slate in the US and Australian markets. She will work between Eureka’s LA and Sydney offices.

Wilkes’ credits include serving as an executive producer on dating show Love Undercover (Peacock), Back in the Groove (Hulu) ad Pooch Perfect (ABC).

Before moving to the US in 2020, Wilkes held several senior positions at Seven Network in Australia, including head of unscripted and head of development. During her stint with Seven, she worked on reality series such as House Rules, Bride & Prejudice, My Restaurant Rules, World’s Strictest Parents and Hell’s Kitchen.

Eureka’s slate of current series includes The Floor (Fox, Nine Network), Farmer Wants a Wife (Fox, Seven Network), Amazing Race Australia (Network Ten), The Quiz with Balls (Fox) and Australian Idol (Seven Network). It also produced upcoming shows The Golden Ticket (Netflix), based on Roald Dahl IP, and the Apple TV+ competition series KPopped.

Wilkes’ appointment comes two months after Eureka Productions founders Chris Culvenor and Paul Franklin exited their posts as co-CEOs to launch a new creative venture, Eureka Studios. Under that new banner, Eureka Studios will devise and develop new content to be sold and produced by Fremantle and its companies, including Eureka Productions. At the time of Culvenor and Franklin’s transition, Proost was elevated to the CEO role.