Netflix Puts Adult Animation Back Under Comedy VP
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- Netflix is realigning its adult animation division under Tracey Pakosta, VP of Comedy Original Series, reverting to the structure in place when she joined in 2020.
- Billy Wee, Director of Adult Animation, along with two Managers including Lauren Castro, will now report to Pakosta.
- For the past several years, the adult animation slate had been overseen by John Derderian, Netflix's VP Animation Series + Kids & Family TV, whose division has been expanding preschool and creator-driven kids content.
- The new structure reflects how comedy talent moves seamlessly between live-action, adult animated series, and standup specials — another area Pakosta oversees.
- Netflix's current and upcoming adult animated slate includes Long Story Short, Dealies, Dang!, Mating Season, and Ricky Gervais' Alley Cats.
- The TV-side realignment happened a couple of weeks ago, ahead of a larger features animation restructuring that named Hannah Minghella Head of Netflix Animation Studio.
- Cross-format creators cited include Mike Schur (A Man On The Inside + Dang!), Nick Kroll (A Hundred Percent + Mating Season), Ali Wong, and Ricky Gervais.
Why it matters: Consolidating adult animation under Pakosta gives Netflix a single decision-maker across live-action comedy, adult animation, and standup — eliminating the split with Derderian's kids-focused unit. For cross-format creators like Mike Schur and Nick Kroll, it means one executive contact rather than separate divisions for their live-action and animated projects.
