BBC Studios LA Unscripted Chief Ryan O’Dowd Adds Scripted Division Oversight

BBC Studios has promoted Ryan O’Dowd, the unscripted content chief for its Los Angeles division, to the position of Global Productions president. In this expanded role, O’Dowd will oversee all scripted content production and development, bringing together the previously separate scripted and unscripted divisions. This restructuring will allow for closer collaboration between creative and production teams, as well as greater leverage within BBC Studios' wider Global Productions network, which includes international expertise, development capabilities, production infrastructure, and global partnerships.

O’Dowd previously served as BBC Studios' Entertainment and Music executive vice president since 2021 and was promoted to unscripted president last year. He expressed excitement about his new expanded role, stating that Los Angeles remains a crucial creative market for BBC Studios. The company's unscripted slate under O’Dowd includes Fox's "The 1% Club," "Celebrity Weakest Link," "Nation's Dumbest," Netflix's "Outlast," and ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" and "Dancing with the Stars The Next Pro."

O’Dowd's scripted slate includes CBS’ "Ghosts," Fox's "Mammoth," "Welcome to Flatch" and "Call Me Kat," and HBO’s "The Night Of" and "Getting On." The restructuring of the company will provide an opportunity to build a more connected and collaborative creative business in one of the most important television markets in the world.

BBC Studios' Global Productions President, Matt Forde, added that the company has a strong pipeline of scripted development with notable buyers in the U.S., and this structure will enable them to build on their momentum while leveraging BBC Studios' creative and production expertise globally.

In addition to O’Dowd's promotion, BBC Studios is refining its approach to scripted production, ensuring a multi-genre focus with a dedicated scripted focus within the broader LA production operation. Scripted LA President Mark Linsey and Scripted LA EVP Angie Stephenson will be exiting the company. Linsey, who has been with BBC Studios since its launch in 2016, previously served as Entertainment Controller and spearheaded the growth of scripted titles such as "Good Omens," "Doctor Who," "Happy Valley," "Baby Reindeer," and the Oscar-winning "Conclave."

Stephenson, who has worked at BBC Studios for nearly two decades, will now transition into producing roles. Both Linsey and Stephenson expressed gratitude for their contributions to the company and wished O’Dowd success in his expanded role.