BBC Studios Combines Scripted And Unscripted Operations In Los Angeles

BBC Studios is restructuring its Los Angeles production business, bringing its Scripted and Unscripted operations under a single leadership structure.

The move is intended to increase collaboration between the company's creative and production teams, while giving its US operation greater access to the wider BBC Studios Global Productions network.

As part of the changes, Ryan O'Dowd has been promoted to President, BBC Studios Global Productions LA. He will oversee production activity in Los Angeles across both Scripted and Unscripted, including the company's development slate.

O'Dowd previously led BBC Studios' Unscripted operation in Los Angeles, where he oversaw programmes including Dancing with the Stars and Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro for ABC, Nation's Dumbest and The 1% Club for FOX, Celebrity Weakest Link for FOX and Outlast for Netflix.

Under the new structure, the Los Angeles operation will retain a dedicated Scripted focus within the wider production business, maintaining its multi-genre approach while placing both areas under O'Dowd's leadership.

The restructuring will see Mark Linsey, President, Scripted LA, and Angie Stephenson, EVP, Scripted LA, leave their current positions.

Linsey leaves BBC Studios after more than two decades with the BBC Group. During his career, he held the role of BBC Controller of Entertainment and later served as Acting Director of Television. He was involved in the development of programmes including Strictly Come Dancing, Top Gear, The Graham Norton Show and MasterChef.

Linsey also played a role in the launch of BBC Studios as a commercial business in 2016 and its subsequent merger with BBC Worldwide in 2018. Most recently, he led the growth of BBC Studios' Scripted portfolio, which includes Good Omens, Doctor Who, Happy Valley, Baby Reindeer and Conclave.

Stephenson has worked alongside Linsey in developing BBC Studios' Scripted operation in Los Angeles, building relationships across the US television industry and developing opportunities for British creative talent and ideas.

Her work has included series such as Mammoth for FOX, Getting On and The Night Of for HBO, Welcome to Flatch and the CBS comedy Ghosts.

BBC Studios continues to develop Scripted projects with major US buyers and partners, including Disney/Hulu, FX and FOX, as well as across the wider US market.

O'Dowd, President, BBC Studios Global Productions LA, said: @Los Angeles remains one of the most important creative markets for BBC Studios, and I'm incredibly excited to take on this expanded role. We have tremendous talent and creative ambition across both Scripted and Unscripted, and bringing our production activity together creates new opportunities to collaborate, share ideas and build on the momentum we already have."

bbcstudios.com