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Amazon MGM TV Shake-Up: Genre Teams Now Key
26 Jan
Summary
- Amazon MGM Studios reorganizes TV teams by genre, not production type.
- Key executives Laura Lancaster and Nick Pepper depart their roles.
- Blair Fetter joins as Head of Worldbuilding and Genre Series.
Amazon MGM Studios has implemented a significant reorganization within its global television division, moving to a genre-based team structure.
Effective immediately, the studio will abandon its previous model of organizing around wholly owned series and co-productions. The new framework divides teams by genre, including drama and comedy, worldbuilding (fantasy, sci-fi), animation, and unscripted content, with both development and current programming falling under these specialized groups.
As part of this transition, Laura Lancaster and Nick Pepper, who previously led co-production and wholly owned teams respectively, are departing their current positions. Discussions are reportedly underway for them to enter producing deals with Amazon MGM.
Blair Fetter, formerly of Netflix, is joining Amazon MGM on February 2, 2026, as the Head of Worldbuilding and Genre Series. He will report directly to Peter Friedlander, the head of global television. Unscripted head Jenn Levy and animation head Melissa Wolfe will continue leading their respective groups and will also report directly to Friedlander.
The studio is actively searching for a new executive to lead the drama and comedy team. In the interim, Kara Smith, Michael McDonald, and Jen Chambers will oversee comedy, drama, and YA programming, reporting to Friedlander.
Friedlander stated that this genre-focused organization will enable the studio to move faster, make sharper creative decisions, and develop groundbreaking series. This aligns Amazon MGM's structure with that of many other major studios.
