Amazon MGM Studios’ Head of TV Vernon Sanders exits after 7 years

Vernon Sanders has announced that he is stepping down as head of global television at Amazon MGM Studios. In a memo to staff shared this week, Sanders said he decided to leave after a little more than seven years with the company and that he will help guide a handoff in the coming weeks.

Sanders wrote that his role grew broader over time and that the wider responsibilities moved him away from the day-to-day creative work he most enjoyed. He thanked colleagues and singled out Jennifer Salke for bringing him into the company, while saying he leaves:

“with a profound sense of accomplishment and immense gratitude.”

Vernon Sanders shared clear reasons for stepping down

In his note, Vernon Sanders explained that the change in his duties made the work less tied to direct creative decisions. As per The Wrap reports, Sanders wrote:

“While I have been deeply honored by that growth in scope, I’ve found myself increasingly distant from what originally drew me to this industry, the day-to-day creative process of making television.”

The memo indicated he made the decision earlier in the summer and would assist with the transition. Amazon MGM Studios has not named a replacement for the role yet. Former Netflix executive Peter Friedlander is a name that has been doing the rounds.

Vernon's exit followed Jennifer Salke's stepping down earlier this year. The other staff members will continue to work on day-to-day operations until a formal successor is appointed.

Vernon Sanders’ background and notable projects under his watch

Before joining the studio, Vernon Sanders worked at NBC as executive vice president of current programming and held a production deal at Universal Television. During his time at the company, he was associated with shows and series that drew attention in awards seasons and among viewers, including Fleabag, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Boys, and Prime Video’s Fallout, each of which was frequently named in coverage of the studio’s slate.

Practical effects of the change on current productions

Most shows in production will continue under existing teams and producers. Industry sources told reporters that the studio’s development and production pipelines are intact, and that executives are focused on keeping schedules and release plans on track while leadership is clarified. Any strategic shift would likely depend on who is appointed next and how that person chooses to manage the TV slate.

Trending

In closing his memo, Vernon Sanders expressed confidence in the people he worked with and said he looks forward to supporting the studio during the handoff. He left open the possibility of returning to more creative, hands-on work in the future. The company has not issued a public statement beyond confirming the internal memo; trade outlets continue to seek comment from studio leadership.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback