Please wait...
Please wait...

Netflix ups Friedlander, Wright exits

Netflix has promoted Peter Friedlander to head of scripted series for the US and Canada, while head of overall deals Brian Wright is leaving the company.

Peter Friedlander

In his new role, Friedlander, currently head of spectacle and event TV programming, will become second-in-command to head of global TV Bela Bajaria.

As head of US/Canada scripted series, Friedlander will assume oversight of Netflix’s partnerships with creative talent and lead its US comedy and drama teams, while continuing to head the big-budget spectacle and event TV group.

Friedlander joined Netflix’s original series team in 2011, working on early originals like House of Cards and Orange is the New Black. He was also the creative exec responsible for shepherding hits like Black Mirror and The Queen’s Gambit, in addition to upcoming series Colin in Black & White and The Sandman.

Friedlander’s other credits at Netflix include its first bilingual series Narcos, first live-action interactive series Bandersnatch and first animated anthology Love, Death & Robots.

Reporting to Friedlander are head of comedy series Tracey Pakosta, head of drama, development Jinny Howe, and head of drama, current Renate Radford, in addition to the spectacle/event TV team and the overall deals team.

Brandon Riegg continues as head of nonfiction series and comedy specials, reporting to Bajaria.

“Peter is an incredibly well-regarded and respected executive both inside and outside Netflix and is the perfect person to lead our strong US team,” Bajaria said.

“He’s been both a producer and programmer and brings deep and trusted partnerships with some of the world’s most talented creators. His track record of creative vision, innovation and partnership has resulted in some of Netflix’s boldest and most unforgettable shows and I can’t wait to see what he does in this leadership role.”

Wright, meanwhile, joined Netflix in 2014, since which he has overseen young adult series like Stranger Things, 13 Reasons Why, The Umbrella Academy and Atypical. He became head of overall deals in 2020.

Bajaria and Friedlander said: “Brian has brought passion and heart to all of his projects and he helped put Netflix on the map with shows like Stranger Things. We’re grateful for everything he has done and wish him great success with his next chapter.”

RELATED ARTICLES

Please wait...