Longtime comedy exec Suzanna Makkos has exited Max to join ABC Entertainment and Hulu Originals as head of comedy. Makkos will report to Simran Sethi, the president of scripted programming for Hulu Originals, ABC Entertainment and Freeform, who announced the hiring on Thursday.
Makkos was most recently head of original comedy and animation at Max and Adult Swim. Makkos’ arrival fills a comedy role that has been open since ABC/Hulu restructured in October. At that time, Sethi was be promoted to run the combined ABC and Hulu scripted teams, and Erin Wehrenberg, who had been head of comedy for ABC, departed.
At ABC/Hulu, Makkos will oversee comedy development and current series programming for ABC Entertainment and Hulu Originals. That includes scripted series, adult animation and stand-up specials.
“There are few executives with the breadth and depth of experience that Suzanna brings to the table,” Sethi said in a statement. “She is a skilled creative partner with a tremendous track record of developing successful, brand-defining and culturally impactful comedies across both broadcast and streaming. We are elated to be welcoming her to our creative team.”
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Makkos first joined HBO Max in 2019 before launch, kicking off the streamer’s comedy slate with shows like the Emmy winning “Hacks,” Mindy Kaling’s “The Sex Lives of College Girls” and the “Sex and the City” spin-off “And Just Like That…,” in addition to stand-up specials “Chelsea Handler: Evolution” and “Marlon Wayans: You Know What It Is.” As part of a previous HBO Max realignment in 2022, Amy Gravitt, head of comedy and exec VP, programming for HBO, took on oversight of the Max Original comedy under one team, with Makkos reporting to her.
Makkos spent years at Fox, working her way up to executive vice president of comedy programming and development. Her tenure there included developing hits like “Bob’s Burgers,” “New Girl,” “The Mindy Project” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.”
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be given the opportunity to join Disney Entertainment Television, where Craig Erwich, Simran and their teams are drivers of excellence in television,” said Makkos. “I can’t wait to collaborate with this talented group of leaders and the dynamic slate of creative voices behind these beloved brands.”