Netflix ups Peter Friedlander to head US scripted series, as Brian Wright departs

Netflix has promoted veteran creative exec Peter Friedlander to head of scripted series for the US and Canada, serving as number two to the streamer’s head of global TV, Bela Bajaria.

Brian Wright, Netflix’s head of overall deals, is also to leave the company, with Friedlander taking over his remit, on top of his new oversight of the drama and comedy teams and continuing responsibility for the streamer’s new spectacle/event programming department.

The head of US series position has been vacant since shortly after Bajaria took up her role last September and her subsequent restructure of the US programming team, which led to the departure of senior execs including VP of original content Cindy Holland, head of comedy Jane Wiseman and VP of original series – drama, Nina Wolarksy.

The position has now been split between Friedlander, taking oversight of scripted series, and Brandon Riegg, head of non-fiction series and comedy specials. Both will report to Bajaria.

Friedlander is one of the steamer’s longest-serving tenured creative execs, joining the company in October 2011 and working on its early originals output including House Of Cards and Orange Is The New Black.

Bela Bajaria

He was also responsible for shepherding drama series including The Queen’s Gambit, Mindhunter, Marvel’s Daredevil and upcoming productions like the live-action Cowboy Bebop remake, fantasy series The Sandman and historical action spin-off Vikings: Valhalla.

The outgoing Wright, meanwhile, joined Netflix in 2014, overseeing shows including Stranger Things, 13 Reasons Why and The Umbrella Academy. Bajaria named him head of overall deals in October 2020.

“Peter is an incredibly well-regarded and respected executive both inside and outside Netflix and is the perfect person to lead our strong U.S. team,” commented Bajaria. “He’s been both a producer and programmer and brings deep and trusted partnerships with some of the world’s most talented creators.

“His track record of creative vision, innovation and partnership has resulted in some of Netflix’s boldest and most unforgettable shows, and I can’t wait to see what he does in this leadership role.”

“Since I joined Netflix, every day has been a new adventure and this might be the biggest yet,” added Friedlander. “I’m thankful to Bela for the opportunity to lead the UCAN scripted series team, an incredible team full of strong creative executives who make me proud every day with their courage, knowledge and creativity.”