Cindy Holland has been the vice president of original content at Netflix for eighteen years. Now, she is stepping down from her role at Netflix. In place of her will be Bela Bajaria, who was a well-regard executive. Bajaria’s new role will be as the vice president of global TV. This comes as Ted Sarandos, the recently appointed co-CEO of Netflix; looked to simplify the content team’s structure.
Sarandos has released a statement:
“Since becoming co-CEO, I’ve wanted to simplify the way our content teams operate – with one global film team led by Scott Stuber and one for TV, which will now be led by Bela Bajaria.”
Bajaria has recently overseen Netflix’s creation of local-language original content in Europe, the Middle East, Turkey, Africa, India, Asia, and Latin America. Now, she will be in charge of both that and English-language original content. This includes scripted, unscripted, and limited series. She was pivotal in bringing such content as The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Master of None to Netflix.
Sarandos added:
“[Bajaria has] demonstrated her versatility and creativity – building out our unscripted team and helping to take our local language slate, which is increasingly important for our members, to the next level. I can’t wait to see what Bela and the TV team achieve in the years to come.”
Holland was with Netflix was it was still a DVD-by-mail company. She was integral in bringing original content to the platform – such as House of Cards and Orange is the New Black. She also was responsible for Stranger Things, The Crown, Ozark, and Narcos. Holland stated:
“It has been a real joy to lead the original series team for the last eight years. From transitioning the company out of DVDs into streaming, to launching our first slate of original series and documentaries, I’ve loved every moment. I am proud of the impact and the diversity of the stories we’ve brought to audiences around the world, and to have worked with some of the most inspiring creators and executives in our business.”
Holland will leave the company in October. Sarandos first hired Holland in LA, in 2002.
Sarandos said of the change:
“These kinds of changes are never easy, and I am enormously grateful to Cindy Holland for everything she has done over the last 18 years at Netflix – first licensing DVDs and then as the driving force behind our first eight years of English original series. Cindy’s been a great champion of creators and the power that comes from seeing more perspectives reflected on screen – launching enduring dramas like ‘Orange is the New Black,’ ‘Stranger Things’ and ‘The Crown.’ Most important of all she’s been a fabulous colleague. We wish her all the best for the future.”
What do you think about Holland leaving Netflix?
Source: Deadline
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