Reality TV pioneer Mike Darnell lands overall deal and consultancy role at Netflix

Netflix has tapped reality TV veteran Mike Darnell to consult on its unscripted slate, signing him to an exclusive multi-year overall deal.

Mike Darnell

The former Warner Bros and Fox executive will work closely with Brandon Riegg, Netflix’s VP of non-fiction series and sports.

According to reports, Darnell will provide creative guidance over the streamer’s roster of unscripted projects and originate new show concepts.

Darnell served as president of Warner Bros unscripted television until 2023, when he departed following a company restructure.

Regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of reality TV, Darnell joined Warner Bros in 2013 and grew the studio’s unscripted portfolio significantly.

He and his team produced numerous hits, including The Bachelor and The Bachelorette (ABC), The Voice (NBC), Paris in Love (Peacock), Friends: The Reunion (HBO Max), Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts (HBO Max) and The Real Housewives of New York City (Bravo).

Prior to Warner Bros, Darnell spent 19 years as president of alternative entertainment at Fox Broadcasting. There he developed and oversaw hundreds of shows, including American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, The Simple Life, The X Factor, Joe Millionaire and Hell’s Kitchen.

Darnell’s new Netflix deal comes just a few weeks after Jeff Gaspin departed his role as VP of unscripted series at the platform.