EXCLUSIVE: More change at Universal International Studios (UIS) with the departure of global scripted SVP Tesha Crawford.
The news has emerged a week after the Day of the Jackal studio promoted EVP Kelsey Balance to lead the global scripted team. UIS confirmed Crawford’s exit and told us that the outfit has started seeking her replacement.
Crawford joined UIS in early 2023 in the London-based role, with a focus on expanding the studio’s scripted slate in the UK and Europe. UIS has since made the likes of Peacock-Sky’s hit The Day of the Jackal adaptation, We Are Lady Parts and the upcoming Lockerbie: A Search for Truth starring Colin Firth.
Crawford was also involved with UIS’ picking up the rights to adapt Lucy Foley’s novel The Midnight Feast for TV, one of a number of books the studio has optioned this year. At the time she said UIS had a “hugely creative vision for the adaptation.”
A popular, much-liked exec, Crawford was previously with the Netflix international team, where she worked on big, nascent hits for the streamer’s local offering. She was across franchises in London such as The Witcher and prior to this led the first dedicated Nordics series team, overseeing Quicksand, Snabba Cash and Young Wallander. The former Superb Entertainment exec initially joined Netflix’s Latin America originals team.
Crawford’s departure is the latest change at UIS and the wider international group. In July, Roma Khanna exited as head of the studio after just six months in post. Shortly afterwards, formats boss Ana Langenberg revealed she was leaving NBCUniversal Formats to spend more time with her family. That role is being reviewed. Along with Balance, UIS also promoted CFO Rob Howard to EVP last week.