BBC Studios Los Angeles Productions has appointed Rachel Bendavid and Angie Stephenson as Executive Vice Presidents, Scripted Programming for BBC Studios Productions, both reporting into Valerie Bruce, the Head and General Manager of BBC Studios Los Angeles Productions.
The production arm has launched 12 new series over the past three years with partners including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, National Geographic, Netflix and Peacock. Bendavid and Stephenson will work in close collaboration with BBC Studios Productions’ President of Scripted, Mark Linsey, with all three executives in the Los Angeles office.
BBC Studios’ Los Angeles scripted production business has just just premiered the third season of its comedy hit Ghosts U.S. on CBS, produced by CBS Studios in association with Lionsgate and inspired by the British series of the same name.
Bendavid joins BBC Studios from her recent role as the Head of Scripted Programming for the co-production partnership between Lionsgate and BBC Studios Los Angeles Productions, which launched the hit series Ghosts. Stephenson has been elevated from her prior role as BBC Studios’ Senior Vice President of Scripted Development.
“Rachel and Angie are both exceptionally accomplished, and I have confidence that they will combine their talents to help us fuel the continued growth of our scripted business,” said Bruce. “With over a decade of experience at ABC overseeing hit shows such as The Good Doctor and Once Upon a Time, Rachel brings sharp creative acumen and an extensive network of industry relationships cultivated throughout her career. Prior to that, Rachel worked at FOX, where she dedicated her creative talents to guiding iconic series including Glee and J.J. Abrams’ Fringe. Angie has proven expertise working with leading U.S. buyers and as an executive producer on a range of break-out series including The Night Of, Ghosts, Call Me Kat and Welcome to Flatch. She is passionate about collaborating with British and American creatives, bolstered by her deep understanding of both cultures which makes her uniquely adept at bringing them together to develop fresh, compelling content that audiences embrace.”
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to lead BBC Studios LA scripted programming into its next chapter,” said Bendavid and Stephenson. “BBC Studios has some of the most beloved and successful global brands to inspire us, a passion for creative excellence, great story telling, and outstanding talent on both sides of the Atlantic. We are truly excited about what lies ahead.”
Stephenson and Bendavid will work with talent in the U.K. and U.S. to reimagine hit British formats for the U.S. market. A key focus for Stephenson and Bendavid will be active collaboration with BBC Studios’ U.K. producers and indie partners, to develop projects for the North American market, creating a bridge for U.K. talent to the U.S.
Stephenson has overseen creative development and production of scripted shows spanning both comedy and drama and identified and developed content for U.S. buyers, across streaming, broadcast, and premium channels. She is BBC Studios’ Executive Producer for Ghosts and was Executive Producer for Welcome to Flatch, Call Me Kat, and The Night Of, as well as Co-Producer on Da Vinci’s Demons. Stephenson joined BBC Studios as Vice President, Programming, Co-Production and Acquisition. In that role, she was responsible for developing international co-productions, identifying formats and program acquisition. Previously, she oversaw the BBC Talent division in the UK, where she directed initiatives to nurture new writers and performers.
Before leading the Lionsgate / BBC Studios Los Angeles Productions scripted co-production partnership, Bendavid was Vice President of Drama Programming for ABC Entertainment where she oversaw hit shows including The Good Doctor and Once Upon a Time. Prior to that, she served as Vice President of Drama Development for FOX where she shepherded J.J. Abrams’ Emmy nominated Fringe and Golden Globe winning series Glee.
Jon Creamer
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