Brian Walsh becomes Executive Director of Drama for Foxtel Group

Foxtel’s longtime Executive Director of Television Brian Walsh is moving to a new role within the Foxtel Group, to a newly-created position of Executive Director of Drama.

He will now focus exclusively on leading the Australian Originals drama division, for Foxtel and Binge and consult on industry relations.

Amanda Laing, Foxtel Group Chief Content and Commercial Officer, said, “Despite a difficult period with COVID over the past two years, our Australian drama productions are on a roll. Just look at the recent success of Wentworth, Mr Inbetween, Love Me and now The Twelve. Not to mention the 20 nominations some of these shows garnered for the Group at the recent 2022 Logie Awards.”

She added, “The scripts and stories that Brian and his team are discovering and developing are incredible, and it’s important for us to have the best in the business building an exceptional drama slate for the Group across Foxtel and Binge. Brian’s special ability and passion for great Australian storytelling was on show through the highly anticipated premiere of our Foxtel Original The Twelve. The Twelve, along with our next Binge Original, Colin from Accounts, had an incredible reception at the Screenings in LA a few weeks ago. ”

Walsh has been with Foxtel since 1995, in a fulltime capacity since 2007, commissioning hit shows including  Love My Way, SLiDE, Satisfaction, Australia’s Next Top Model, Tangle, Selling Houses Australia, Deadline Gallipoli,  The Great Australian Bake Off, The Real Housewives of Melbourne, Gogglebox, A Place to Call Home and Secret City.

“I have enjoyed every moment of my journey with Foxtel and am delighted to sign on for a further term and under new arrangements which will allow me to continue doing what I love most, telling Australian stories, whilst embarking on some new business opportunities more broadly within the entertainment industry,” he said.

“I have seen some incredible changes in the business and am excited for what the future holds. I am an entrepreneur at heart and will detail my broader business plans in due course. For now, though, the key focus will continue to be Foxtel and delivering what I believe will be our strongest slate ever, of compelling Australian drama and entertainment,” he said.

Walsh will continue to be supported by Lana Greenhalgh and work closely with Binge CEO Ali Hurbert-Burns in commissioning scripted content.

Foxtel is not replacing the Director of Television role, having recently hired Marshall Heald as Executive Director Foxtel Entertainment.

A spokesperson said, “Our investment in Originals have never been more important to Foxtel and Binge. We now have two of the best in the business working for the Foxtel Group with Brian Walsh and Marshall Heald, and that’s provided an opportunity for Brian to focus on our drama slate and Marshall to focus on lifestyle and our Foxtel programming.”