# Amazon MGM promotes Kara Smith to drama TV head amid executive exits

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/amazon-mgm-studios-ups-kara-smith-to-head-of-drama-tv-as-jen-chambers-michael-mcdonald-and-odetta-watkins-exit/
- Published: 2026-07-10T14:39:21+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-11T08:14:17+00:00
- Original publisher: Variety
- Original article: https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/amazon-kara-smith-head-drama-tv-1236804852/
- Topics: Americas, Art, Culture, Entertainment, TV, World

## Key points

- Kara Smith promoted to head of drama at Amazon MGM Studios.
- Three executives u2014 Chambers, McDonald and Watkins u2014 are departing.
- Part of a genre-based restructuring under chief Peter Friedlander.

## Summary

Amazon MGM Studios has promoted Kara Smith to head of its drama television division, the latest reshuffle in a scripted TV department undergoing significant restructuring under chief Peter Friedlander. The move reflects the studio's ongoing transition, announced in January, away from a model split between wholly owned and co-productions towards one organised by genre — separating drama, comedy, young adult, worldbuilding, animation and unscripted content. The change matters because it signals how one of the industry's biggest streamers is reorganising its creative leadership to speed up decision-making.

Smith, who has spent more than seven years at the company, has worked on series including "The Summer I Turned Pretty," "Reacher" and "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," as well as upcoming titles "Blade Runner 2099" and "The Challenger." Announced to staff on Wednesday, her promotion comes alongside the departures of executives Jen Chambers, Michael McDonald and Odetta Watkins. Friedlander said he is still searching for a new head of comedy and a head of young adult content, who would join existing leads Blair Fetter (worldbuilding), Jenn Levy (nonfiction) and Melissa Wolfe (animation), and he acknowledged in a memo that the year had "brought a lot of change" to the organisation.

## Coverage

- [Variety: Amazon MGM promotes Kara Smith to drama TV head amid executive exits](https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/amazon-kara-smith-head-drama-tv-1236804852/)
- [Deadline: Kara Smith Named Head Of Drama; Jen Chambers, Michael McDonald & Odetta Watkins Leaving In Amazon MGM Studios Executive Restructuring](https://deadline.com/2026/07/kara-smith-head-drama-jen-michael-mcdonald-leaving-amazon-1236977453/)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.