Gaumont poaches FremantleMedia exec, renews CEO deal

Gaumont International Television has hired Sam Semon from FremantleMedia North America and renewed the contract of company CEO Katie O’Connell.

The LA-based TV division of the French movie studio has had success with its first two drama series Hannibal, which has been taken to a second season by US broadcast net NBC and Netflix original Hemlock Grove.

It is also making a TV version of Barbarella for French premium channel Canal+.

The company said that having locked O’Connell into a new deal, it is embarking on a signified growth plan.

As well as Semon’s hire from FremantleMedia, where he was VP, business and legal affairs, working across the development and production of scripted series, Gaumont has upped Elisa Roth to president, creative/production.

Semon, Roth and distribution boss Erik Pack now all report to Connell.