‘Severance’ firm Fifth Season bolsters ranks with Amazon hire

Severance

US-based Fifth Season (fka Endeavor Content) is bolstering its ranks with the hire of Amazon Studios exec Jill Arthur as EVP of development and production and the promotion of Noah Greenshner to the same position.

Arthur joins Fifth Season from a nine year stint at Amazon Studios, most recently as senior development and programming executive, during which time she oversaw titles including The Power, Hanna, The Wilds and Red Oaks. Prior to Amazon Studios, Arthur held roles at Weintraub Productions, where she helped to develop Westworld, as well as Garry Hart/Canyon Road Productions, John Wells Productions and ICM.

Greenshner, meanwhile, has been upped from his previous position as SVP of TV development and production. He joined Fifth Season in 2018 from Legendary, and during his time with the company has worked on titles including Apple TV+’s Severance and Nine Perfect Strangers for Peacock.

Arthur and Greenshner will both work closely alongside the company’s president of TV development and production, Joe Hipps. They will be tasked with managing the series slate and overseeing talent deals, such as with Amy Adams’ Bond Group Entertainment.

Fifth Season is currently in production on Apple TV+ drama Chief Of War and limited series Lady In The Lake.

“Noah has been an invaluable member of the Fifth Season family since the TV studio began in 2018 as Endeavor Content and his leadership in this new role will continue as we take our TV business to the next level.

“I enjoyed working with Jill when she was a buyer, but very happy that she’s part of the team, bringing her expertise and passion for developing great dramas, comedies and her eye for adapting strong source material. I’m excited to build on the great year we’ve had with this best-in-class team,” said Hipps.

These latest appointments follow the hire of Blumhouse TV exec Mary Lisio last month to head up and expand Fifth Season’s non-scripted and documentary development & production business, while earlier this month, the company’s co-CEO Chris Rice told an audience at Content London that co-productions are set to become even more important as the pressure on streamers and their US studio parents grows.