Sky Studios hires Mammoth exec Preethi Mavahalli to lead in-house drama team

Sky Studios has appointed Preethi Mavahalli as creative director of drama to oversee the in-house drama team and develop and produce a slate of UK-based original productions for Sky’s European markets.

In this newly created role, Mavahalli will report to CCO Jane Millichip, and will join Sky Studios in January 2022. Her team will include executive producers Kara Manley, Victoria Wharton, Serena Thompson and Beverly Brooker, and she will work alongside director of commissioning for drama, Gabriel Silver.

Mavahalli’s appointment comes following the departure of Cameron Roach, former Sky Studios director of drama, last year, who exited the company to spend more time with his family.

She currently serves as director of drama at UK-based Poldark producer Mammoth Screen, and has developed and executive produced series including The Serpent, Noughts + Crosses and The War Of The Worlds.

Her other credits include McDonald & Dodds and Next of Kin for ITV, as well as The City & the City and NW for BBC Two. Prior to joining Mammoth in 2011, she worked at Film4 and Film London.

Current in-house projects on the Sky Studios slate include the upcoming The Rising for Sky UK and Blocco 181 for Sky Italia, with both series set to air next year.

“I have been watching Sky Original drama go from strength to strength in recent years, constantly raising the bar with ambitious and ground-breaking series,” commented Mavahalli. “With the launch of Sky Studios, and its unrivalled ambitions and ability to partner with talent, the bar has been set even higher and I could not pass up the opportunity to lead in-house drama. I can’t wait to get started.”