Jane Root’s Nutopia bolsters development team with two promotions

Sam Fernandes and Rob MacAndrew have been promoted at Nutopia

Documentary veteran Jane Root’s US- and UK-based factual prodco Nutopia has promoted Samantha Fernandes and Rob MacAndrew to new roles within its development team.

Current deputy head of development, Fernandes has been promoted to head of development and will oversee the day-to-day running of Nutopia’s development slate across all genres.

Fernandes joined Nutopia as a development researcher in 2015 and has been across the development of projects such as Netflix’s Babies, The World According to Jeff Goldblum and upcoming Disney+ series Limitless with Chris Hemsworth.

Prior to working at Nutopia, Fernandes was a broadcast writer at Canada’s CTV News Channel.

MacAndrew, who rejoined the company as a development executive last year, has been elevated to VP of science development to fill a newly created role.

Since rejoining the company MacAndrew has led the development of recently announced Welcome to Earth (working title) with Will Smith for Disney+.

In his new position, he will take on a wider role leading development on the company’s new premium science, natural history and adventure content.

MacAndrew was a member of the original creative team behind One Strange Rock for National Geographic and How We Got to Now for PBS. Previously, MacAndrew was a producer at Windfall Films.

Fernandes and MacAndrew will report to executive VP and executive producer, Simon Willgoss, who was promoted last year.

Nutopia, set up by former senior BBC and Discovery Communications exec Root in 2009, focuses on creating what it calls high-end “mega-docs” that combine ambitious cinematography with action-driven drama and A-list talent.