Roma Khanna to leave Universal Int’l Studios after just six months in charge

Roma Khanna, the head of NBCUniversal’s Universal International Studios (UIS), will leave the company after just six months in the London-based role.

Roma Khanna

Khanna was appointed to lead UIS in late 2023, replacing David O’Donohue, who had stepped down earlier in the year.

Her appointment marked a return to NBCU, where she had previously led the company’s International Networks and Digital Initiatives division from 2008 to 2011.

Following that, Khanna became president of MGM Television and Digital Group, before becoming CEO of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Revolt Media. After three years at Revolt Media, Khanna served as executive chair of Hillary and Chelsea Clinton’s HiddenLight Productions, until she stepped down last summer.

Production companies under the UIS banner include Carnival Films, Monkey Kingdom, Matchbox Pictures, Working Title Television and Heyday Television, in addition to the global formats division NBCUniversal Formats.

Projects produced under the UIS banner have included We Are Lady Parts, Downton Abbey, Everyone Else Burns, Made in Chelsea, That’s My Jam and The Real Housewives international franchise. Forthcoming series are Apples Never Fall, The Day of the Jackal, Thing I Know to Be True, The Plotters and Hot Air, starring Andrew Garfield.

Khanna will continue working on certain projects with UIS after her departure, the company said. Deadline first reported the news of her departure.