‘Chernobyl’ producer Sister hires former Netflix content chief Cindy Holland as global CEO

Chernobyl

Chernobyl producer Sister has hired former Netflix content chief Cindy Holland as its global CEO, following the exit of Stacey Snider in May.

Holland will determine strategic direction for the company and oversee its execution across the US and the UK, working alongside executive chairman Elisabeth Murdoch and CCO Jane Featherstone, who both co-founded Sister with Snider in 2019.

Stepping down from the role earlier this year, Snider transitioned to become an independent producer and creative adviser to the company, while retaining oversight of the LA office’s TV and film slate.

Holland, meanwhile, has been serving on the board of US-based SPAC Horizon Acquisition Corp II since her exit from Netflix in September 2020, following co-CEO Ted Sarandos’ efforts to streamline the content team. She spent 18 years at the global streamer, including nine as VP of original content. Holland was Sarandos’ first LA-based hire in 2002, joining Netflix when it was still a DVD-by-mail company.

Cindy Holland

During her time at Netflix, she played a key role in its move into original content, beginning with shows including House Of Cards and Orange Is The New Black in 2013, followed by hits including Stranger Things, The Crown and Narcos.

This move back into independent production is a return to her roots for Holland, who began her career working at Spring Creek Productions and at Mutual Film Company.

Sister, which has UK offices in London and Manchester and US offices in LA and New York, is behind titles including The Power for Prime Video; This Is Going To Hurt and The Split for the BBC and AMC; Gangs Of London for Sky & AMC; and Chernobyl and Landscapers for Sky & HBO.

The firm has also made investments in new creator-led businesses including documentary production company Dorothy Street Pictures; British animation company Locksmith Animation; publishing firm Zando; podcast studio Campside Media; comic book and digital media publisher AWA Studios; and a partnership with London music venue KOKO and Yes Yes Media, a non-scripted TV and tech entertainment company.

“The future is bright for well-positioned independent companies, and I love to build and support successful teams. For years I’ve admired Jane Featherstone, and I am passionate about the artist-forward ethos that Liz has fostered at the Sister entertainment group,” said Holland.