As Executive Vice President, Scripted Programming for BBC Studios Los Angeles Productions, Rachel Bendavid is responsible for the creative development and production of scripted shows, focusing on both U.K. reformats and original programing. Bendavid joins BBC Studios from her recent role as the Head of Scripted Programming for the co-production partnership between Lionsgate and BBC Studios Los Angeles Productions, which launched the hit series Ghosts.
Bendavid works with top talent in the U.K. and U.S. to reimagine hit British formats for the U.S. market, capitalizing on BBC Studios’ prestigious, wide-ranging library, while also curating and developing original programming. She builds on BBC Studios’ existing slate of projects in development, spanning both comedy and drama, which are already set up with a number of partners in Los Angeles. A key focus for Bendavid is fostering active collaboration with BBC Studios’ U.K. producers and indie partners, to develop projects for the North American market, creating a bridge for U.K. talent to the U.S.
Before leading the Lionsgate / BBC Studios Los Angeles Productions scripted co-production partnership, Bendavid was Vice President of Drama Programming for ABC Entertainment where she oversaw numerous hit shows including The Good Doctor and Once Upon a Time. Prior to that, she served as Vice President of Drama Development for FOX where she shepherded J.J. Abrams’ Emmy® nominated Fringe and Golden Globe® winning series Glee.