ITVS unites US businesses under David George

ITV Studios is uniting its unscripted and scripted operations in the US under the leadership of David George, with long-standing exec Philippe Maigret exiting the company. 

Maigret’s Stateside scripted division ITV Studios America will be folded into George’s unscripted unit ITV America (ITVA), with George now overseeing all development and production in the US under the ITVA banner. 

After stepping down from his president and managing director role at the end of the year, Maigret will continue to shepherd and exec produce ITVS America’s existing projects, including Formula One series One, which is in development at its in-house label Bedrock Entertainment, for Prime Video. 

ITVS said the move underscores the company’s “commitment to continued success via streamlined leadership and efficient structure” in an evolving marketplace. 

ITVS America-backed Snowpiercer indie Tomorrow Studios, which is currently producing One Piece for Netflix, will continue to operate independently under the leadership of its founder and chief Marty Adelstein and partner and president Becky Clements. The duo will work with George and the ITVA integrated team. 

Maigret has led ITVS America for a decade during which he has overseen the expansion and growth of ITVS’s US scripted business through his division and joint ventures.  

Series created during his tenure include Apple TV+’s historical epic Franklin, ABC’s Somewhere Between and, alongside Tomorrow Studios, Netflix’s Snowpiercer, Apple TV+’s Physical and Prime Video’s The Better Sister, among others. 

ITVS managing director Julian Bellamy said: “There is so much to thank Philippe for over the past ten years – he’s been a terrific colleague and has helped shepherd some truly memorable shows. I wish him the very best for his next chapter and look forward to working with him in his role as exec producer.  

“Philippe leaves ITV Studios America very well-positioned for the future. As the marketplace evolves, the time is right to now combine our US unscripted and scripted business under David George.  

“David has built ITV America into a formidable production powerhouse with a string of unscripted hits. He’ll be a fantastic leader for our combined American business going forward.” 

George said: “Leading the newly combined US business for ITV is an incredibly exciting opportunity. Bringing scripted, unscripted and digital together under one roof allows us to create a more cohesive and strategic approach.  

“While the industry presents its challenges, creativity remains at its core – and it’s the chance to push those creative boundaries that motivates me most.” 

Maigret added: “Throughout the past decade, I’ve had the privilege of working with extraordinary teams and creative partners to build a portfolio of series that reached audiences worldwide and helped establish ITV Studios America as a leading independent studio in the US market.  

“Together, we turned passion and talent into storytelling that was both creatively ambitious and commercially successful.”