Universal Studio Group hires Netflix & Lee Daniels alums for development

Tall Girl

Universal Studio Group has made new senior appointments to the development teams at Universal Television and Universal Content Productions.

Former Netflix exec Naketha Mattocks is joining Universal Television as SVP of drama development, reporting to Vivian Cannon, EVP of drama development.

Mattocks launched Netflix’s family film division in 2018, with the team producing films such as Tall Girl and He’s All That.

Prior to that, Mattocks served as the VP of original movies at Disney Channels Worldwide and as head of development for Larger Than Life Productions.

Marc Velez has meanwhile been appointed as SVP and head of development at Universal Content Productions, where he will report to EVP Jennifer Gwartz.

Velez previously served as president of Lee Daniels Entertainment, where he developed and executive produced The Wonder Years for ABC, Our Kind Of People for Fox and The Ms Pat Show for BET.

Prior to that, Velez was SVP at Imagine Television, where he developed shows including Empire for Fox and Arrested Development for Netflix.