A major leadership shift has taken place at Netflix, as Jinny Howe has been promoted to Head of UCAN (US-Canada) Scripted Series, succeeding longtime executive Peter Friedlander, who is departing after nearly 14 years at the company.
Jinny Howe’s Rise at Netflix
Howe joined Netflix in 2018 after over a decade at John Wells Productions, where she specialized in serialized character dramas. Since then, she has quickly risen through the ranks, receiving four promotions in four years. Most recently, she served as Head of Drama Series for UCAN, overseeing both development and current programming.
Her creative leadership has been instrumental in shaping some of Netflix’s biggest hits, including:
-
Bridgerton (her first Netflix project)
-
Inventing Anna
-
Maid
-
Beef
-
The Night Agent
-
The Diplomat
In her statement, Howe expressed gratitude and excitement for the role:
“I’m incredibly honored to step into this role to lead our powerhouse series team, and to work with some of the most visionary storytellers and artists in the business… My past seven years at Netflix have taught me the importance of leading with heart, integrity, and curiosity.”
Netflix’s Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria praised Howe as a creative force with strong industry relationships, noting her instinct for bold storytelling and describing her as “spirited, quick-witted, and always ready with a food analogy.”
Peter Friedlander’s Departure
Peter Friedlander exits Netflix after helping build its originals strategy from the ground up. He was the first dedicated employee on the original series team in 2011, working on groundbreaking projects like:
-
House of Cards
See More ...
-
Black Mirror
-
Mindhunter
-
The Queen’s Gambit
-
Narcos (first bilingual series)
-
Bandersnatch (first live-action interactive series)
-
Godless (first limited series)
-
Love, Death & Robots (first animated anthology)
As Head of UCAN Scripted, Friedlander oversaw Netflix’s biggest global tentpoles, including Wednesday, Stranger Things, Monster, One Piece, Emily in Paris, and Three Body Problem.
In his farewell note, Friedlander reflected on his journey:
“Joining as the very first employee on the original series team and witnessing this company’s incredible journey — growing into one of the most beloved entertainment brands in the world — has been the thrill of my career… Watching Jinny rise has been a privilege, and I know I’m leaving the company in the best hands.”
What’s Next?
While Friedlander has not yet announced his next move, a return to producing is reportedly under consideration.
For Netflix, Howe’s appointment signals a continued push toward bold, globally appealing scripted content in the US and Canada, building on the foundation of originals that have defined the platform’s success.
