Chris Parnell steps out as co-president of Sony Pictures TV to join Apple – Deadline

EXCLUSIVE: Sony Pictures Television Studios co-president Chris Parnell will leave the studio later this month after more than 16 years. He will join Apple TV + in a senior programming role on the national development team, reporting to Matt Cherniss, Apple’s current scripted and scripted development manager.

In light of Parnell’s departure, Jason Clodfelter will become Co-Chair Solo, SPT Studios. He will continue to report to Jeff Frost, president of Sony Pictures Television Studios, who announced Parnell’s pending departure and described the studio’s leadership structure in an internal memo this morning (you can read it below the story).

The popular Parnell, a high-profile addition to Apple’s TV programming team, will guide the development of the growing list of premium original series.

As co-president of SPT Studios, the production side of SPE’s television business, Parnell guided all creative aspects of the studio’s national television business along with co-president Clodfelter. The duo was elevated to the position in July 2017 by EVP and co-directors of American drama development and programming for SPT.

Since joining SPT in December 2003, Parnell has helped develop many of Sony’s high-profile streaming, cable, and streaming series, including the original Apple TV + drama, For all humanity, It has been renewed for a second season. Parnell has led the development of popular Sony shows like Outlander, The Blacklist, Breaking Bad, The Boys, Preacher, the next Time wheel for Amazon and more. He is known for both the wide range of series he has worked on over the years, from Outlander, The Black List and Eternal to Preacher, the tick and Electric dreams – and his passion for comic / genre fare. More recently, Parnell has been overseeing the development of a series of television series based on the characters from Sony’s Marvel Universe, which Phil Lord and Chris Miller spearhead in their general agreement in the television studio.

“He has been an innovator and advocate for bold new ideas, committed to finding and highlighting new voices and has never shied away from stories that crossed the boundaries,” Frost said in his email to staff, who highlighted Parnell’s contributions to the study and Wished him continued success in the new endeavor.

In the memo, Frost also said that Clodfelter will now oversee the development of US drama and comedy from the studio, current and scripted programming from the US, Movies and Miniseries, Talent and Casting, as well as TriStar Television, Affirm Television and Gemstone Studios. SPT Studios’ unscripted physical and commercial production unit will now report to Frost.

After spending virtually his entire career to date on SPT and being on the buying side of the business for over 16 years, Parnell wanted to try a different challenge and see the creative process from a different perspective, which led to his decision to leave the business. tightly knit leadership team at SPT.

At Apple, he will meet former SPT Presidents Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht, who have led Apple’s foray into original programming as video bosses around the world. In addition to his former bosses, Van Amburg and Erlicht, who helped him promote him from assistant to executive years ago, at Apple Parnell he will again work with other former SPT executives, some of whom he had hired at the studio.

The next list of original Apple series includes Foundation, Hedy Lamar, Gal Gadot protagonist and executive producer; Lisey’s Story, written and executive produced by Stephen King and starring Julianne Moore; and the limited comedy series The Shrink Next Door, starring Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd.

Here’s Frost’s note:

Good Morning,

I am writing to share some important news about our leadership team at Sony Pictures Television.

SPT Studios Co-President Chris Parnell will leave the company later this month to take a creative role on Apple TV. Chris has been a great partner, leader, collaborator, and friend during his 16+ years in the studio. You will be greatly missed. We have several projects with Apple and look forward to working closely with him in his new capacity.

I want to personally thank Chris for the contributions he has made to the studio over the years. He has been an innovator and advocate for bold new ideas, committed to finding and highlighting new voices, and has never shied away from stories that crossed the limits. Throughout his time on SPT, he has been instrumental in developing some of the studio’s most prolific and iconic series, such as Outlander, The Blacklist, Preacher, Breaking Bad, and The Boys.

After Chris’s departure, Jason Clodfelter will continue in his role, serving as co-president, SPT Studios. He will oversee the development of drama and comedy in the US from the studio, current and written US programming, Movies and Miniseries, talent and casting, as well as TriStar Television, Affirm Television and Gemstone Studios. SPT Studios’ unscripted business and our physical production unit will now inform me.

Join me in wishing Chris continued success as he embarks on the next chapter in his career. If you have any questions, please contact me or your respective P&O partners.

Jeff