Lionsgate’s Bellisario expands responsibilities to Starz

Lionsgate has handed Marcello Bellisario an expanded role covering talent and casting at the indie studio and premium cabler Starz.

Bellisario became the first head of casting & talent relations for Lionsgate’s  TV operation when he joined the company in 2014. In his new senior VP, talent and casting position he will give Starz a full-time cover in this role for the first time.

Given the responsibility across Lionsgate and Starz, Bellisario will work with both Chris Selak, Lionsgate’s head of scripted who was also recently upped, and Starz programming chief Carmi Zlotnik. Day-to-day he will report to Selak.

In keeping with the Lionsgate and Starz responsibilities, Bellisario will work out of the studio’s Santa Monica base and the cabler’s Beverly Hills HQ.

Selak said “As our television operations continue to scale and diversify, we are happy to recognise Marcello with this promotion and expansion of his duties, which will be a huge benefit to Lionsgate, Starz and all of our creative talent.”

Zlotnik said, “We are very excited to have Marcello as part of the team, helping to guide our casting partnerships and decisions. His eye for talent is incredible and we look forward to our creative collaboration on the Starz series.”

Bellisario has worked on series including Casual, Greenleaf, Orange is the New Black and Nurse Jackie.

His relationship with Lionsgate dates back to the start of country music drama Nashville, for which he oversaw casting. Before that he was broadcast net ABC and its production arm ABC Studios.