Morgan Wandell, Head of International Development at Apple TV, is launching Kismet, a new premium scripted series production company.
Kismet will focus on developing and producing premium scripted series, with a particular emphasis on the growing international market. The company will be based in Los Angeles.
Wandell spent nearly a decade building out the international division at the LA-based streamer, having previously built Amazon Studios’ international development organisation, following his role leading Amazon’s Original Drama Division.
“Helping to build Apple TV’s international slate has been the privilege of my career,” said Wandell. “I’m deeply grateful to Jamie, Zack, and all my colleagues at Apple, and to the extraordinary creators we’ve partnered with around the world. It was a hard personal decision to make this leap from a company as terrific as Apple, but I have always wanted to build a company of my own. The opportunity to serve as an entrepreneur and producer in the growing white space for premium series for the global marketplace is one I couldn’t pass up and one that audiences are embracing.”
As part of Kismet’s launch, Wandell is in discussions with Apple to produce multiple projects for the service.
Wandell joined Apple in October 2017 as one of the early hires for what would become Apple TV+, leading the creation of the international slate from the ground including Apple TV’s franchise tentpole Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. Additionally, Wandell guided the Emmy-winning espionage thriller Tehran, the International Emmy-winning comedy Acapulco, Masters of the Air from Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, and Alfonso Cuarón’s Disclaimer, and The New Look.
Prior to Apple, at Amazon Studios, Wandell oversaw the multi-Emmy and Golden Globe-winning The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, the Golden Globe-winning Goliath, and the BAFTA-winning limited series A Very English Scandal. He also helped launch flagship series, including Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, The Man in the High Castle, and Bosch. He led Prime Video’s international expansion with breakout originals from India, including The Family Man, Mirzapur, and Made in Heaven.
Earlier in his career, as a senior executive at ABC Studios, he oversaw landmark network hits including the Emmy-winning Lost, the Golden Globe-winning Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, Ugly Betty, Brothers & Sisters, and Criminal Minds.
Photo Credit: TheCollectiveYou
Jon Creamer
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