Amazon MGM Studios Promotes Kara Smith to Head of Drama TV Amid Executive Exits

Amazon MGM Studios is reshuffling its scripted television leadership team once again, with scripted TV chief Peter Friedlander promoting longtime executive Kara Smith to oversee the drama division. The move comes as part of a broader reorganization that will see three current executives depart the company.

In a memo sent to staff on Wednesday, Friedlander outlined what he described as a "flatter approach" designed to prioritize clarity and speed in nurturing creativity. The restructuring shifts Amazon's television operations toward a genre-based model, with dedicated leaders overseeing distinct content categories at Prime Video.

Kara Smith Takes the Helm of Drama

Smith, who has been with the organization for more than seven years, will report directly to Friedlander in her new role as Head of Drama. Her promotion recognizes a tenure marked by involvement in several notable Amazon Original series, including The Summer I Turned Pretty, Reacher, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Looking ahead, Smith will also oversee upcoming titles Blade Runner 2099 and The Challenger. Friedlander praised her creative instincts, industry relationships, and proven ability to develop standout programming as key qualifications for the role.

Under Smith's leadership, the drama division will be organized around verticals. Executives within these verticals will guide series from the development stage through subsequent seasons, a structure intended to optimize both creative planning and talent relationships over the lifecycle of each show.

Three Executives Depart Amazon

The leadership reorganization will result in the departure of three Amazon television executives: Jen Chambers, Michael McDonald, and Odetta Watkins. Each had been responsible for a distinct area of the studio's scripted operations.

Chambers led the first look and overall deal team. Under the new structure, those deals will be distributed among the appropriate genre-based verticals rather than managed centrally. McDonald oversaw wholly-owned development across comedy, drama, and young adult content. Watkins managed current drama series, specifically handling shows from their second season onward.

Friedlander acknowledged the personal impact of the transitions and thanked each departing executive for their contributions to the organization. He asked staff to join him in wishing them well in their next chapters.

A Genre-Based Leadership Model Takes Shape

The restructuring aims to complete a genre-based creative leadership team for Prime Video's television operations. Alongside Smith in the drama role, the existing leadership includes Blair Fetter overseeing Worldbuilding, Jenn Levy heading Nonfiction, and Melissa Wolfe leading Animation. Once the new Heads of Comedy and Young Adult are brought on board, the full genre-based team will be in place.

Friedlander indicated that the model is designed to bring greater focus to each content category, with specialized leaders driving creative decisions within their respective genres. The approach represents what Friedlander described as an evolution in the television organization's structure, one that he believes will build something stronger collectively.

Search Continues for Comedy and Young Adult Leaders

While Smith's appointment fills the drama leadership role, Friedlander noted that the search continues for two additional positions: a Head of Comedy and a Head of Young Adult content. Both roles will report directly to Friedlander once filled, rounding out the genre-based leadership structure.

The chief acknowledged that the current year has brought significant change to the organization and expressed appreciation for staff members' patience, professionalism, and commitment throughout the transition. He emphasized that these qualities had not gone unnoticed and voiced his confidence that the new structure would strengthen the studio's creative output going forward.

Friedlander also reiterated Amazon's commitment to ensuring seamless continuity for its existing shows and the creative talent behind them, even as the organizational chart evolves behind the scenes. The studio remains focused on maintaining momentum across its current programming slate while building toward its next phase of development under the new model.

As Amazon MGM Studios continues to refine its television strategy under this new leadership structure, the industry will be watching closely to see how the genre-based approach shapes the streamer's upcoming slate. What do you think of these changes at Amazon MGM Studios? Share this article with your network and join the conversation about the future of streaming television.

Source: Variety