Amazon MGM Studios global television chief Peter Friedlander has appointed Carina Walker as head of Young Adult (YA) programming, finalizing a leadership restructuring aimed at bolstering the studio’s output for younger demographics.
In a memo to staff, Friedlander highlighted Walker’s nearly decade-long tenure at Amazon, spanning drama development, international expansion, and, most recently, a deep focus on the YA space. He credited her creative instincts and talent relationships for driving recent Prime Video successes in the genre, including “Off Campus” and “Every Year After.”
“With an upcoming slate of huge BookTok IP and voice-driven talent, Carina is the perfect choice to lead this industry-leading vertical,” Friedlander wrote.
Walker steps into the role previously held by Alex Weinberger, who joined the studio in 2024 when the YA division was established as a dedicated priority vertical. Since returning to Amazon in 2021 as a senior development executive for drama, Walker has overseen a diverse slate ranging from the YA adaptations “Off Campus” and “Every Year After” to high-profile dramas such as “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” and “Young Sherlock.”
Her history with the company dates back to 2013, where she contributed to early originals like “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “Goliath.” She subsequently played a key role in launching Prime Video International, developing local-language content for markets including India, Japan, Spain, France, and Mexico. A stint at Apple TV+ saw her work on “Masters of the Air,” “Shantaram,” and “Monarch” before her return to Amazon.
Walker’s promotion follows the recent hiring of Netflix veteran Andy Weil as head of comedy. With both positions filled, Friedlander confirmed his creative leadership team is now complete. The roster includes Kara Smith (Drama), Blair Fetter (Worldbuilding), Jenn Levy (Nonfiction), and Melissa Wolfe (Animation).
“This is the team that will define the next chapter of our storytelling,” Friedlander noted in the memo.
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