Australia’s ABC installs Netflix & Stan execs to lead scripted, factual

Rachel Okine

The ABC in Australia has added former Netflix and Stan execs to oversee its scripted and factual output.

Rachel Okine was most recently commissioning editor at Stan and will join the ABC in September, taking the newly created head of scripted role and overseeing all drama and comedy.

She previously worked at StudioCanal and more recently was MD of Aussie prodco Aquarius Films.

Her arrival follows an overhaul of the ABC’s management ranks and news in May that head of drama, entertainment & indigenous Sally Riley was stepping down.

Former Netflix exec Susie Jones, meanwhile, has been named head of factual and joins 24 July.

Jones, who previously worked for the BBC, Matchbox Pictures and SBS, will have oversight across all factual and documentary content, taking on the remit from acting head of factual, Richard Huddleston. Both Okine and Jones report to ABC content chief, Jennifer Collins.

Chris Oliver-Taylor, the former Netflix exec who joined as ABC’s chief content officer earlier this year, said the duo would bring “direct experience of commissioning programmes at two of the best streamers in the world.”