UK’s ITV names Nana Hughes to head scripted comedy & comedy-drama

Nana Hughes

ITV is bringing its comedy and drama teams closer together by appointing former Talkback exec Nana Hughes to oversee scripted comedy and comedy-drama for the UK commercial broadcaster.

Hughes becomes head of scripted comedy and reports into head of drama Polly Hill, with a remit that will see her developing scripted comedy and dramedy programming across the broadcaster’s channels and platforms.

She previously launched prodco Saturday’s Child and before that was head of comedy at Talkback and head of development at Fremantle-owned Retort, wokring on Chewing Gum.

Hughes also previously held the post of deputy commissioning editor for comedy and entertainment at fellow UK broadcaster Channel 4.

Her arrival follows the departure of former comedy controller Saskia Schuster, who joined Drop The Mic prodco Fulwell 73 as head of scripted in May.

Kevin Lygo, ITV’s director of TV, said: “She will be a wonderful addition to the commissioning team, developing new ideas for the main channel and ITV2, as well as bringing a fresh outlook to upcoming shows such as Spitting Image, and series two of our new hit sitcom, Kate & Koji.”

Hill added: “I’m really delighted that the comedy and drama departments are coming together and I look forward to working with Nana, who I’ve wanted to work with for a while. She is going to be a brilliant addition to the ITV commissioning team and will bring an exciting new vision for comedy and drama, and I look forward to seeing the shows she is going to champion on ITV.”