Fremantle hires ex-Chernin TV chief for drama

FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) has named ex-Chernin Entertainment TV chief Dante Di Loreto as its president of scripted entertainment.

The position is a new one. Its creation comes after news of the departure Craig Cegielski, who oversaw FMNA’s scripted business as co-CEO, emerged earlier month.

Di Loreto will report to Jennifer Mullin, who is now the sole FMNA chief exec.

His role will see him overseeing the scripted slate, develop a pipeline of new shows, and play “an active role within FremantleMedia’s global scripted network”.

FMNA’s current slate includes American Gods, which Cegielski is still overseeing, Jude Law drama The Young Pope (pictured), the BBC’s Hard Sun, Foxtel’s Picnic at Hanging Rock and HBO / Rai series My Brilliant Friend.

Di Loreto was most recently president of television at Chernin Entertainment, and counts series such as Glee and American Horror Story on his CV. He was executive producer on HBO’s telemovie Temple Grandin and produced Showtime’s children’s special My Louisiana Sky.

“Dante is a hugely-respected executive and producer with an impeccable track record as an ambitious storyteller and a champion of creative excellence,” said FremantleMedia group CEO Cécile Frot-Coutaz.

Mullin said Di Loreto’s “taste and grounded sensibility reflect what we stand for at FMNA”.

Di Loreto takes up his post tomorrow (June 1).