Bolstering its programming team, BBC America has named Nena Rodrigue to the newly created position of executive vice president of original programming, acquisitions and production.
In her new post, Rodrigue, who was formerly senior vice president of programming and producution of Sundance TV, will oversee all of BBC America's development, original productions, co-productions, and acquisitions.
Rodrigue, in her new job, reunites wth Sarah Barnett, who is now president of BBC America. Barnett previously served in that role at Sundance TV.
Both services are part of the AMC Networks channel group, with BBC America operated as a joint venture between AMC Networks and BBC Worldwide. In October, AMC Networks said it would pay $200 million for a 49.9% interest in BBC America and enter into a partnership with the network’s parent, BBC Worldwide. As part of the agreement, BBC Worldwide will retain 50.1% in the channel. AMC Networks has operational control of BBC America, including affiliate and advertising sales.
“Nena is a highly sophisticated programming executive, with a creative vision that will be invaluable for BBC America’s next phase of growth,” said Barnett, to whom Rodrigue will report. “Nena has helped drive SundanceTV’s evolution as a distinctive player in the scripted drama space, and she has played a key role in multiple SundanceTV-BBC co-productions. I couldn’t be more pleased to have her join the talented team at BBC America.”
Rodrigue will continue to oversee SundanceTV development and production for an interim period until a new successor is named.
Upon joining that network in March 2013, Rodrigue has overseen the development and production of some high-profile and acclaimed programming including two seasons of original series Rectify, The Honorable Woman, The Returned, The Red Road and Babylon. Maggie Gyllenhaal won the Golden Globe for the best actress in a TV miniseries or movie for her role as Nessa Stein in The Honorable Woman,' in which she finds herself inheriting her father’s arms business and in the middle of reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians.
Before working at SundanceTV, she held various development and production roles for Dick Wolf’s Wolf Films, Touchstone TV, Imagine Television, Witt-Thomas productions, and in Fox’s alternative TV division.
At BBC America, Rodrigue is joining a programming unit, whose 2015 slate includes returning fare Broadchurch (March 4), Orphan Black (April 18), Luther and Ripper Street, plus new series entries, Mud, Sweat and Gears, Tatau, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell,The Last Kingdom and London Spy.
