The BBC has revealed Netflix UK script commissioner Lindsay Salt as the next Drama Director.
Salt replaces Piers Wenger, who left for A24 earlier this year to lead the international division with former BBC Films boss Rose Garnett. BBC Drama Commissioner Ben Irving took on the role on an interim basis and was tipped as a frontrunner to take it permanently with Channel 4 Drama Head Caroline Hollick.
Reporting to Anne Mensah, who was also associated with the BBC job, Salt has been with Netflix for three years, where he took assignments such as Baby Reindeer, One day, The F*** it bucket, palomino and half bad and work with hits like heart stopper and The crown.
She led development at Sky Drama, during which time she also worked with Mensah.
Salt will report to BBC Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore, who said the move "heralds an exciting new era for BBC drama".
"Lindsay has been responsible for an impressive array of shows and her track record as a commissioner underscores her passion for creating big hits and developing new and diverse voices," she added. "BBC Drama is in excellent shape and she has ambitious plans to develop the creative strategy and build her own distinctive slate that is unique to the BBC."
Salt said the opportunity was "too special to ignore," announcing her Netflix appointment as a "total joy."
Mensah added: "I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Lindsay both here at Netflix and previously on Sky. Lindsay has been instrumental in building our slate at Netflix UK with fantastic commissions and we will all cheer her future success .”
The move is a double blow to Netflix, shortly after UK Scripted director Chris Sussman announced his departure. BBC Drama Commissioner Mona Qureshi went the other way earlier this year.
Salt's orbit is the most talked-about in the British drama world. She will control an annual budget of approximately £400 million and oversee co-productions with the biggest US players. Wenger came under heavy scrutiny during his tenure, but generally shook up the BBC's drama offerings, taking big bets on the likes of I can destroy you and Normal people that bore fruit.
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