Amazon MGM Studios Ups Kara Smith to Head of Drama TV as Jen Chambers, Michael McDonald and Odetta Watkins Exit

Amazon MGM Studios‘ scripted TV department is getting another shakeup as chief Peter Friedlander has promoted Kara Smith to head of the drama division.

Amid Smith’s elevation, Amazon TV execs Jen Chambers, Michael McDonald, and Odetta Watkins will be exiting.

Friedlander noted in a memo to staff Wednesday that he is still in search of a new head of comedy and head of young adult content to work alongside existing department leads Blair Fetter (Worldbuilding), Jenn Levy (Nonfiction), and Melissa Wolfe (Animation) and now Smith (Drama).

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See Friedlander’s note to employees announcing the changes below.

Hi all,

I’m writing to share an important update on our television organization’s evolution. After careful consideration, I’ve landed on a flatter approach that prioritizes clarity and speed to nurture creativity. As we continue to build toward a genre-based model, I’m pleased to announce a new creative leadership structure for Drama, Comedy, and Young Adult scripted TV.

Kara Smith will elevate as Head of Drama, reporting to me. Kara has been an extraordinary leader in this organization for over seven years, and her deep creative instincts, relationships across the industry, and track record of developing standout series make her the ideal leader to build our Drama slate. In her tenure, Kara has been instrumental across series including The Summer I Turned Pretty, Reacher, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith, as well as upcoming titles Blade Runner 2099 and The Challenger. Her organization will be structured around verticals, with executives shepherding series from development through subsequent seasons to optimize creative planning and talent relationships.

I will also be bringing on a new Head of Comedy as well as a Head of Young Adult, both reporting to me. Together with Kara Smith (Drama), Blair Fetter (Worldbuilding), Jenn Levy (Nonfiction), and Melissa Wolfe (Animation), this will complete our genre-based TV creative leadership team at Prime Video.

With these changes, Jen Chambers, Michael McDonald, and Odetta Watkins will be departing Amazon. I want to take a moment to thank each of them for their contributions to this organization. Jen led our first look and overall deal team — these deals will now be managed by the appropriate genre-based verticals. Michael led the wholly-owned development team across comedy, drama, and young adult. Odetta led current drama series, overseeing shows from season two onward. Please join me in wishing them all well in their next chapters.

While we’re mindful of the personal impact of this transition, we remain committed to ensuring seamless continuity for our shows and the talent behind them. I recognize this year has brought a lot of change to our organization. I appreciate the patience, professionalism, and commitment each of you has shown through this transition — it hasn’t gone unnoticed. I’m confident we’re building something strong together, and I look forward to the work ahead.

Peter