Max Exec Suzanna Makkos Joins ABC Entertainment and Hulu Originals as Head of Comedy

As a longtime comedy executive, I’ve recently made the exciting move to join forces with ABC Entertainment and Hulu Originals, taking on the role as their head of comedy. I’ll be reporting directly to Simran Sethi, President of Scripted Programming for Hulu Originals, ABC Entertainment, and Freeform. This new chapter began this week, as she announced my hiring on Thursday.

Makkos, formerly the head of original comedy and animation at Max and Adult Swim, has just taken up a new position that was vacant in comedy following the restructuring at ABC/Hulu in October. Previously, Sethi advanced to lead the combined ABC and Hulu scripted teams, while Erin Wehrenberg, who held the head of comedy role for ABC, left the company around the same time.

At ABC/Hulu, Makkos has been tasked with managing the development of comedic content as well as ongoing programming for both ABC Television and Hulu Original Productions. This encompasses scripted shows, animated content for mature audiences, and stand-up comedy specials.

Sethi stated that Suzanna possesses a unique combination of extensive experience and diverse skills, which make her an ideal addition to our team. She has proven herself to be an expert in creating popular and culturally relevant comedies for both traditional TV and streaming platforms. We are thrilled to have her join our creative group.

Initially, Makkos began working at HBO Max in 2019 prior to its official launch. During this time, he played a pivotal role in setting up the platform’s comedy lineup, which included hits like “Hacks,” “The Sex Lives of College Girls” by Mindy Kaling, and the spin-off of “Sex and the City,” titled “And Just Like That…”. Additionally, Makkos was involved in the production of stand-up specials such as “Chelsea Handler: Evolution” and “Marlon Wayans: You Know What It Is.”

Following a reorganization within HBO Max in 2022, Amy Gravitt, who heads comedy and is an executive VP for programming at HBO, assumed responsibility for the entire Max Original comedy division. In this new setup, Makkos now reports to Gravitt.

For several years, Makkos climbed the ranks at Fox, eventually reaching the position of Executive Vice President for Comedy Programming and Development. During her time there, she was instrumental in creating successful shows such as “Bob’s Burgers”, “New Girl”, “The Mindy Project”, and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”.

I’m beyond excited to be part of Disney Entertainment Television! Working alongside Craig Erwich, Simran, and their exceptional teams who are pioneers in television excellence is a dream come true. I can hardly wait to collaborate with this talented collective of leaders and the vibrant array of creative minds behind these cherished brands.

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2025-01-16 23:46