Reel One appoints Hallmark, Lifetime alum

LA-based producer and distributor Reel One Entertainment has appointed a former Hallmark Channel and Lifetime Channel executive to oversee its scripted programming.

Barbara Fisher becomes executive VP of scripted content and will be based in the company’s LA office, reporting to CEO Tom Berry.

She will oversee all of Reel One’s development and production activities across scripted, working with Breanne Hartley, exec VP of business affairs, and Sebastian Battro, exec VP of distribution.

Fisher was most recently senior VP of original programming for US cable network UP TV, overseeing its slate of movies and series, and before that was senior VP of Hallmark Channel, with a remit across the development and production of movies as well as its more recent move into series.

She also spent time as exec VP of entertainment at A+E’s Lifetime Channel, working across series, movies and reality programming, and before that had stints at companies including National Geographic.

“As the company expands and embraces exciting new challenges and opportunities, I am very happy to have Barbara join our team and contributing her formidable talent and expertise in both TV movies and series,” said Berry.

Reel One’s slate includes over 75 TV movies, while series in development include a remake of the Belgian drama Tygat Chocolat and an adaptation of Philip K Dick’s novella Second Variety.

The company is also working with Irish/Canadian crime Our Father, which is being coproduced with Irish producer ShinAwiL.