Disney’s SVP of Original Content for EMEA Liam Keelan is leaving the company after nearly five years in the role.
Keelan will depart Disney in early 2025 with the search for a replacement set to get underway.
Keelan helped to build Disney’s EMEA original programming team ahead of the international launch of Disney+. The team has produced 70 originals during his time at the helm.
His division has been responsible for shows such as Sally Wainwright’s Renegade Nell, superhero comedy Extraordinary, Daniel Brühl-starrer Becoming Karl Lagerfeld and the soon-to-launch Jilly Cooper adaptation Rivals.
Keelan said: “It’s been an absolute blast running the Disney+ Originals team. I’ll forever be grateful to Diego Londono and Jan Koeppen for backing me every step of the way as we launched our first raft of commissions and set about changing expectations of what a Disney+ show might be.
“I’m so proud of the range, quality and awards our shows have brought to Disney+. Any success is testament to the brilliant teams we have here in the UK and across the European markets – their passion and creativity have been truly inspiring.
“It’s never an easy decision to leave when there’s so much more to come but channelling Declan O’Hara it’s time for a change and I’ve no doubt Disney+ and the Originals slate will be hugely successful in the months and years to come.”
Disney EMEA’s EVP of Media Networks and Content Diego Londono said in a statement: “Since 2020, Liam has brought an incredible creativity and commitment in delivering a wide-ranging local originals slate across EMEA. I am so proud of the shows Liam has steered, but also of the team he’s built since joining in 2020. I wish him all the best in his next endeavour.”
Keelan previously spent six years at BBC Worldwide as Director of Scripted Content and before that he was Global Editorial Director. He has also held the roles of controller of BBC Daytime and Early peak, controller of daytime at ITV and channel editor at UKTV.
You are not signed in
Only registered users can comment on this article.
Canal+ launches AI-powered content search with OpenAI
To enable users to find content through natural language queries, the Canal+ app will roll out a search function powered by OpenAI technology in June 2026.
Documentary Film Council appoints Mandy Chang as CEO
The UK’s Documentary Film Council has named Mandy Chang as its first Chief Executive.
Head of Eurovision broadcaster ORF resigns
The Director General of Austrian national broadcaster ORF has resigned over allegations of sexual harassment, two months before the network is due to host the Eurovision Song Contest.
Sound body AMPS calls out impact of noisy LED film lighting
The Association of Motion Picture Sound (AMPS) has called on manufacturers and productions to consider the impact of noisy high-output LED film lighting on capturing performance on set.
.jpg)
Michael Bauman wins ASC Award for One Battle After Another
The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) has presented Michael Bauman with its 2026 Theatrical Feature Film award for his work capturing Paul Thomas Anderson’s comedy thriller One Battle After Another.
