Rick Maier moving to Creative Advisor Drama, Paramount ANZ.

EXCLUSIVE:

10 / Paramount ANZ’s long-serving and respected Head of Drama & Executive Production, Rick Maier, will move into a newly created role as Creative Advisor Drama, Paramount ANZ next year.

In the newly created role he will advise on drama co-productions and acquisitions including NCIS: Sydney, Last King of The Cross and Neighbours.

Maier has an exemplary track record in producing and creating content across drama, reality, comedy and entertainment for Network 10, dating back to 1997, including as Executive Producer, Creative Development on Rove Live, After the Deluge, My Husband My Killer, Heroes’ Mountain, Thunderstone, Murder Call, Big Sky, The Secret Life of Us.

Over the last 16 years, as Network Head of Drama, he has overseen the commissioning, casting, script, production and post-production of a plethora of dramas includingThe Secrets She Keeps, Five Bedrooms, North Shore, Puberty Blues, Offspring, Wake in Fright, Bikie Wars: Brothers in Arms, Brock, My Life is Murder, The Wrong Girl, Playing for Keeps, Wonderland, Hawke, Rush, and of course Neighbours -where Maier was a writer in 1986. Early writing credits also include Carson’s Law, E Street, and Prisoner.

Beverley McGarvey, Executive Vice President, Chief Content Officer & Head of Paramount+, Paramount Australia & New Zealand said: “I am thrilled Rick has agreed to stay and be part of our team as he transitions to the next stage of his career.

“Not only has Rick been an outstanding leader in the scripted space over many years but he has been a critical member of the Content Leadership team and a great colleague, mentor, and friend to me and many others.”

Maier has also been Network Executive Producer on MasterChef Australia for 11 seasons.

“As a curious writer I came to 10 wanting to understand how Networks operate. Fair to say it’s still a mystery,” he said. “But in a good way. I’m grateful to everyone at 10 for their enduring friendship, with hopefully many more great challenges ahead in this new role.”

He will commence his new role early next year.