Amazon MGM Studios‘ Head of Global Television Peter Friedlander has filled the last senior scripted role on his team, Head of YA. Carina Walker, who had already had been working in the arena, has been named to the post. She will be reporting to Friedlander who just announced the promotion internally in a memo, which you can read below.
Walker, who has been at Amazon for almost a decade, joins Andy Weil, recently appointed as Head of Comedy, Kara Smith (Drama), Blair Fetter (Worldbuilding), Jenn Levy (Nonfiction), and Melissa Wolfe (Animation).
“This is the team that will define the next chapter of our storytelling,” Friedlander said.
He went for internal candidates for both the Head of Drama and Head of YA jobs, with Walker emerging as a top contender soon after Friedlander announced the previously announced Head of Drama and Comedy position would be split into three, Comedy, Drama and YA, with Amazon veteran (and YA expert) Smith named Head of Drama.
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Over her Amazon tenure, Walker has worked across drama and international, recently focusing on YA, shepherding such series as Off Campus, Every Year After, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Word is that Friedlander was going to stick with her as she settles into the YA role.
“With an upcoming slate of huge BookTok IP and voice-driven talent, Carina is the perfect choice to lead this industry-leading vertical,” Friedlander said.
Young Adult has become a key area of growth for Amazon MGM Studios where it has found success with several breakout hits as global phenom The Summer I Turned Pretty was followed by four series launched this summer that all have been renewed for a second season, Off Campus, Elle, Every Year After and Sterling Point.
Here is Friedlander’s full memo:
Team,
I’m excited to share that Carina Walker has been named Head of YA.
Carina has a collective 9.5 years at Amazon where she’s worked across drama, international and most recently developed a deep understanding of the YA space. Her strong talent relationships and creative instincts can be seen in the development of shows like Off Campus, Every Year After, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith. With an upcoming slate of huge BookTok IP and voice-driven talent, Carina is the perfect choice to lead this industry-leading vertical.
With Carina’s appointment alongside Andy Weil as Head of Comedy, our creative leadership team is now fully in place: Kara Smith (Drama), Blair Fetter (Worldbuilding), Carina Walker (Young Adult), Andy Weil (Comedy), Jenn Levy (Nonfiction), and Melissa Wolfe (Animation). This is the team that will define the next chapter of our storytelling.
Please join me in congratulating Carina. I know she’s excited about what’s ahead — and I am too.
Peter
