Amazon MGM Studios Reorganizes 'Worldbuilding' TV Team, Matthew King and Adrienne O’Riain Depart
Amazon MGM Studios is undertaking a significant restructuring of its Worldbuilding Series division, which specializes in large-scale genre television productions, as confirmed by an internal memo from Blair Fetter. This strategic realignment aims to foster a more agile and efficient operational framework, enabling leaders to seamlessly transition between development and ongoing production phases. The overhaul will lead to the departure of prominent executives Matthew King and Adrienne O’Riain, who have been instrumental in the team's past successes. Simultaneously, new appointments and role expansions are being implemented to support the revised structure, emphasizing a concentrated effort on developing ambitious and globally appealing content.
This current reorganization builds upon an earlier shake-up that occurred in January, initiated by Peter Friedlander, the head of global television. Friedlander's previous changes involved segmenting the studio's programming into distinct genre-based teams: Drama and Comedy, Worldbuilding (encompassing fantasy and sci-fi), Animation, and Unscripted content. During that initial phase, Laura Lancaster and Nick Pepper transitioned to production deals, and their roles were filled by Jenn Levy for Unscripted, Melissa Wolfe for Animation, and Blair Fetter, who was brought in to spearhead the Worldbuilding team. Fetter's latest internal memo articulates that this new phase of reorganization is designed to cultivate a flatter, more streamlined management structure, enhancing the team's autonomy in creating captivating series for a global audience.
As part of these changes, Matthew King and Adrienne O’Riain, recognized for their substantial contributions, will be leaving the organization. King was praised for his distinct vision in the wholly-owned development sector, notably overseeing projects like '56 Days,' 'Carrie,' and 'Criminal.' O’Riain also played a crucial role in the success of '56 Days' and championed the eagerly anticipated series 'Elle.' Blair Fetter expressed profound gratitude for their dedication and impact on Prime Video, wishing them well in their future endeavors, confident in their continued success within the industry. Their departures mark a pivotal moment in the studio's strategic shift.
Further adjustments within the Worldbuilding team include the promotion of Tom Lieber to Head of Creative Affairs for Worldbuilding, expanding his responsibilities. Lieber will continue to manage his existing projects while empowering other team members to take leadership roles on individual productions. His new focus will involve exploring how advanced technologies can enhance both current and future worldbuilding series. Additionally, Liz Mackintosh will move to Kara Smith’s department, where she will collaborate closely with Alex Weinberger and Odetta Watkins to strengthen the Drama organization. Scott Farris and Max Taylor will now report directly to Blair Fetter, while Mark Ambrose and Andie Green will continue their reporting lines to Tom Lieber. These personnel shifts are intended to optimize leadership and project oversight, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment.
Peter Friedlander's arrival at Amazon MGM Studios in October 2025, after a distinguished 14-year tenure at Netflix, preceded these changes. He took over from Vernon Sanders, who had previously organized the studio's TV projects into wholly-owned and co-production categories. Friedlander's vision has clearly steered the studio towards a more genre-focused and vertically integrated organizational model, aiming to streamline creative processes and production pipelines. The ongoing restructuring reflects a strategic effort to adapt to the dynamic landscape of television production, prioritizing efficiency and creative excellence in delivering high-quality content.
The reorganization of Amazon MGM Studios' Worldbuilding Series team signals a forward-looking approach to television production, prioritizing efficiency and strategic alignment. The departures of Matthew King and Adrienne O’Riain, coupled with new appointments and expanded roles for executives like Tom Lieber, demonstrate a clear intent to refine the operational framework. This streamlined structure is designed to empower creative leadership and enhance the development of ambitious, global series, ultimately aiming to deliver compelling content that resonates with audiences worldwide.
