Max Exec Suzanna Makkos joins ABC and Hulu Originals as head of comedy
Former comedy exec Suzanna Makkos has left 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 hire on Thursday.
Makkos most recently served as head of original comedy and animation at Max and Adult Swim. Makkos’ arrival fills a comedic role that has been open since ABC/Hulu’s restructuring in October. At that point, Sethi was promoted to lead the combined ABC and Hulu scripting teams, and Erin Wehrenberg, who had been head of comedy for ABC, left.
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,” Sethi said in a statement. “She is an experienced creative partner with a tremendous track record of developing successful, brand-defining and culturally impactful comedies for both broadcast and streaming. We are pleased to welcome her to our creative team.”
Makkos first joined HBO Max in 2019 ahead of its 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…,” alongside stand-up specials “Chelsea Handler: Evolution” and “Marlon Wayans: You Know What It Is.” As part of an earlier reshuffle of HBO Max in 2022, Amy Gravitt, head of comedy and exec VP, programming for HBO, assumed oversight of the Max Original comedy under one team, with Makkos reporting to her.
Makkos spent years at Fox and worked his way up to executive vice president of comedy programming and development. Her time there included engineering such hits as “Bob’s Burgers,” “New Girl,” “The Mindy Project” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.”
“I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to join Disney Entertainment Television, where Craig Erwich, Simran and their teams are outstanding drivers in television,” said Makkos. “I can’t wait to work with this talented group of leaders and the dynamic array of creative voices behind these beloved brands.”
