EXCLUSIVE: Universal International Studios (UIS) head Roma Khanna is exiting after just six months in post.
Details are scarce as to why Khanna is leaving the London role but we are told she will remain on a freelance basis to work across a number of UIS projects. Beyond confirming her departure, UIS declined comment.
Khanna, a U.S. production vet who used to run Sean ‘Diddy Combs’ company and was previously living in LA, replaced David Donoghue late last year when Donoghue moved to 42. No word from UIS at present on whether Khanna will be directly replaced or the role will be culled.
Khanna reported to UIS President Beatrice Springborn. At the time of her arrival, Universal Studio Group chair Pearlena Igbokwe said Khanna’s “operational expertise in the global marketplace, coupled with Beatrice’s deft creative strategy, will fuel our ambitions and expand our footprint exponentially.”
She made her first speaking appearance at Content London, saying that UIS “has ambitions to achieve that are my sweet spot,” and moved to the English capital soon after. UIS has since landed a number of projects including drama package K Street written by Barack Obama’s former longtime aide. Other recent wins include Heyday Television adapting Gillian McAllister’s Just Another Missing Person and UIS making sci-fi novel Sublimation into a TV series.
Khanna joined UIS from Hillary and Chelsea Clinton’s HiddenLight Productions. Prior to that, she held roles including CEO of Sean Combs’ Revolt Media & TV and president of MGM Television Group and Digital. This was her second stint at Universal, having previously been president of its International Networks and Digital Initiatives unit.
Her departure comes at a tricky time for TV producers, with the market not yet fully recovered from Covid, the dual U.S. strikes and global recession. Nina Lederman, who held a similar role to Khanna at Sony, left several weeks ago. A few months before that, Banijay’s Christian Wikander exited. Neither have been replaced.
UIS houses the likes of Downton Abbey producer Carnival Films, We Are Lady Parts maker Working Title Television and Made in Chelsea’s Monkey.
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