OWN Hires Drew Tappon as Head of Unscripted Development, Programming & Specials

Naman Ramachandran Producer Tendeka Matatu’s London and South Africa-based production company Ten10 Films is expanding and rebranding as Ten10 Entertainment.The Ten10-produced neo-noir thriller “Cold Harbour” is currently streaming on Netflix.The name change reflects the outfit’s rapidly growing global slate of original series and film projects, which will be overseen by new head of development Jafta Mamabolo, an actor, writer, director and producer from Johannesburg.Based out of South Africa,

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorMichelle Lee, Allure’s top editor for the last five and a half years, is joining the Netflix marketing team in a newly created editorial and publishing role.Lee announced her jump to Netflix, where she will be global VP of editorial and publishing, in an Instagram post Monday.Lee in late July will join the Netflix marketing group headed by chief marketing officer Bozoma Saint John, the market veteran who previously worked at companies including Apple and Endeavor.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterChristina Davis is stepping down as president of original programming at Starz, Variety has confirmed.“Christina Davis has decided to resign her position to pursue other opportunities,” a Starz spokesperson said in a statement to Variety. “We wish her the best and thank her for her contributions during the past year.”The news comes a little over a year after Davis first joined the premium cabler, taking over the role previously held by Carmi Zlotnik.

EastEnders fans praised Dani Dyer for her performance in a labour scene as she starred opposite her father Danny Dyer in Tuesday night's episode of the hit soap. The former Love Island winner, 24, played the role of a pregnant taxi driver called Jeanette who picked up Mick Carter, played by Dani's dad Danny, 43, from Albert Square minutes before her waters broke.

As we head toward the first day of summer, the CW has set its plans for the fall. The network today revealed premiere dates for a couple of reimagined new series and a dozen returning ones including Riverdale, The Flash, All American, Walker and Nancy Drew. 

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHulu has elevated Jordan Helman to the role of head of scripted content.Helman has been head of drama, Hulu Originals since 2015. In his new role, he will report to Craig Erwich, president of Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment.

Spotify VP and global co-head of music Marian Lee Dicus is leaving the company to lead Netflix marketing for the U.S. and Canada, Variety has confirmed.Dicus will join Netflix in July 2021 as VP of U.S./Canada marketing, reporting to Bozoma Saint John, the marketing vet who joined Netflix as global CMO last August.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterDaria Berenato, better known as Sonya Deville — WWE superstar — made headlines in 2015 when she became the first openly gay female wrestler in WWE history. Now, after performing in front of arenas filled with fans and in front of millions more watching at home, Berenato wants to take her advocacy for the LGBTQ+ commu­nity to the next level.“I really just want to be a voice for the community in sports — specifically, in the WWE,” says Berenato, who is 27.

Drew Tappon has joined OWN as the head of unscripted development for programming and specials. He will report to OWN president Tina Perry.

Former 495 Productions exec Drew Tappon has been tapped to run unscripted programming at OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. Tappon replaces Robyn Lattaker-Johnson, who left the company in April, in the role. He becomes Head of OWN Unscripted Development, Programming & Specials and reports to OWN President Tina Perry.

EXCLUSIVE: Mona Garcea, a former producer with Chuck Lorre Productions, has joined Melissa Rauch & Winston Rauch’s Warner Bros. Television–based After January Productions as Head of Development.

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Joe Otterson TV Reporter“The Spook Who Sat by the Door” pilot at FX has rounded out its main cast with four new additions.Lucas Till, Nafessa Williams, Nathan Darrow and Tom Irwin have all joined the drama pilot alongside previously announced leads Y’lan Noel and Christina Jackson.The story follows Dan Freeman (Noel), the fictional first African American CIA officer hired by the agency in the late 1960s.

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Joe Otterson TV ReporterBerlanti Productions senior vice president of development Erika Kennair is exiting the company to serves as president of production for Malala Yousafzai’s production company, Extracurricular, Variety has learned exclusively.It was announced back in March that Yousafazi had signed a programming deal with Apple, under which she formed Extracurricular.“At Extracurricular, we want to help the next generation of women, artists and writers reflect the world as they see it,”