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EXCLUSIVE: Apple TV is seeking a head of local language scripted projects.
The move comes amid a shuffling of the pack after Morgan Wandell and Oliver Jones exited the streamer, with Europe chief Jay Hunt handed a wider remit.
Apple confirmed the Head of Local Language Scripted is a newly-created London-based role in Hunt’s team.
According to a job ad posted on LinkedIn, the Head of Local Language Scripted will “work closely with experts in market” and the Creative Director of International TV [Hunt] to set strategy and commission content.”
The person is tasked with “defining and executing a comprehensive content strategy for local language scripted series across key international markets” and making “a compelling slate of shows that resonate in multiple markets,” according to the job ad. They will assess scripts for “Apple series potential” and meet with top talent and agents.
Notably, the ad also says the person will need to “navigatie regional nuance,” “leveraging a deep understanding of international market dynamics, including regional content quotas and local compliance, to identify whitespace opportunities in highly competitive territories.”
The role is an opportunity for someone to set the direction of a big-budget streamer’s international slate and will likely attract a high caliber of candidate.
Apple TV doesn’t make a huge amount of content outside of the States but under Hunt’s leadership it has delivered some big hits. Hunt’s UK slate includes the likes of Slow Horses, Bad Sisters and Hijack. Outside the UK it has made French fare like the Eva Green-starring Liaison and Gaumont’s The Hunt, Spain’s Women in Blue and Germany’s Where’s Wanda?, the latter two of which soon launch second seasons. Apple also picked up Legendary’s French-Japanese series Drops of God and is a co-producer on big hits like Tehran.
The hire will come following exits in the Apple international team. International development chief Wandell left to launch his own indie while international scripted executive Jones moved to Amazon.
Matt Cherniss, Apple TV's head of programming, now oversees Wandell's slate while the highly-rated Hunt’s remit has expanded to all international and local-language original projects.
