EXCLUSIVE: Sue Naegle is leaving Annapurna after five and a half years with Megan Ellison’s film and television company, most recently as Chief Content Officer, where she oversaw film as well as two departments she was instrumental in establishing, television and theater. Naegle’s departure is said to be amicable and she is expected to focus on producing, including a number of projects she developed during her time at Annapurna.
Ali Krug, Patrick Chu Annapurna
Naegle will not be replaced, several executives will take over their responsibilities. Co-heads of film Christina Oh and Adam Paulsen and co-heads of theater Kevin Emrick and Skye Optican will continue to lead their respective departments. The development arm of the television division is led by Ali Krug and Patrick Chu, who were promoted from SVP Development to Co-Heads of TV in late 2021.
Krug has been a key role in the TV division since its inception and Chu joined from Amazon Studios in 2018 and the two have spearheaded development over the past few years.
Coming on the heels of the smashing success of Hulu’s Pam & Tommy, Annapurna is gearing up for the launch of the company’s upcoming HBO Max limited series The Staircase. Other upcoming TV projects include Dead Ringers for Amazon, I Love That For You, due out on Showtime in April, and The Changeling, currently in production, for Apple TV+.
Former HBO Entertainment President Naegle joined Annapurna Pictures in 2016 to lead the company’s push into television with the launch of Annapurna Television. She was promoted to Chief Content Officer in 2019 and assumed film oversight.
During her tenure at HBO, Naegle was instrumental in Emmy-winning series such as Game of Thrones, Veep, and Boardwalk Empire, as well as True Blood, Tremé, Eastbound & Down, Enlightened, and Girls “ involved.
She then transitioned into production via her Naegle Ink banner with a contract with HBO before joining Annapurna, and Krug was one of the executives she brought with her.