Amazon MGM Studios' Peter Friedlander Announces Major TV Reorganization with New Leadership

Amazon MGM Studios global TV chief Peter Friedlander announced a significant reorganization of the television division on January 8, 2026. This marks his second major restructuring this year, aimed at enhancing creativity by forming genre-based teams for development and current programming. The restructuring has led to the departure of Jen Chambers, Michael McDonald, and Odetta Watkins, as well as the promotion of Kara Smith to head of drama.

New Leadership Structure at Amazon MGM Studios

Friedlander's internal memo, shared with The Hollywood Reporter, emphasizes a flatter organizational approach that prioritizes clarity and speed. This new structure will support the development of drama, comedy, and young adult (YA) scripted TV.

Kara Smith, who has been with the company for over seven years, will now lead the drama division. Friedlander stated, "Kara has been an extraordinary leader in this organization... her deep creative instincts and relationships across the industry make her the ideal leader to build our Drama slate." Under this new leadership, Smith will oversee a team structured around verticals, enhancing the creative planning process.

Departures and Future Plans

As part of this reorganization, Jen Chambers, Michael McDonald, and Odetta Watkins will be leaving their positions. Chambers led the first look and overall deal team, while McDonald managed the wholly-owned development team across the various genres. Odetta Watkins was responsible for overseeing current drama series.

Friedlander expressed gratitude for their contributions, stating, "I want to take a moment to thank each of them for their contributions to this organization." The roles will now be managed by the appropriate genre-based verticals, which aligns with the studio's aim to structure global TV similarly to other successful studios.

Future of Programming at Amazon MGM Studios

With Kara Smith stepping into her new role, Friedlander plans to appoint a new head of comedy and a head of young adult programming, both reporting directly to him. This restructuring is part of Friedlander's vision for Amazon MGM Studios, which he joined in October 2025 after 14 years at Netflix. The goal is to create a cohesive environment where series can be shepherded from development through their subsequent seasons.

Friedlander concluded his memo by acknowledging the challenges faced during this transition, emphasizing the importance of maintaining continuity for ongoing shows and the talent involved. He expressed confidence in the strength of the new structure and the collaborative effort ahead.