‘Real Housewives’ prodco Truly Original expands senior team

The Real Housewives of Atlanta

US-based The Real Housewives franchise producer Truly Original has expanded its senior team, including the appointments of David Patry as SVP and head of production and Ronica Wynder as VP of programming.

Dave Patry

Patry will run production management and current for the company, having previously worked at Big Fish Entertainment, as well as holding roles at Eastern, Fox International Channels, and Evolution Media, where he worked in production for over 16 years.

Wynder has worked as an independent producer across a range of docuseries, reality and nonfiction content. She was previously executive producer on Bravo’s Porsha’s Family Matters and Kandi & The Gang and also produced for ABC News, A&E, MTV and E!.

Alongside these new appointments, Banijay-owned Truly Original has also promoted Michelle Schiefen to SVP of programming and development. Schiefen joined the company in 2014 as an executive producer before being elevated to VP of programming; her credits include Family Karma, The Last Cowboy, Would I Lie to You? and Don’t Be Tardy.

Meanwhile, SVPs of programming, Julie ‘Bob’ Lombardi and Lorraine Haughton-Lawson, have both signed new deals to remain at the company, which is behind titles such as The Real Housewives (Atlanta, Potomac and Dubai), Ink Master, Summer House and Winter House, Family Karma and Swamp People.

Ronica Wynder

Co-CEOs Glenda Hersh and Steven Weinstock said: “We have an expert team who love what they do, and while this business is evolving on an almost-daily basis, we’re proud to be able to keep growing creatively, and to attract top talent. With these team players, all at the top of their game, we’ll continue working to deliver great content to buyers and audiences.”

This expanded exec team comes on the heels of Truly Original signing a first-look deal with New York-based comedy producers Jim Biederman (Kids in the Hall) and Jodi Lennon (At Home with Amy Sedaris) last week.

The writers have teamed up as a producing duo and together will help expand Truly Original’s slate of unscripted comedy series for streaming and broadcast.