Turner will report to Eric Schrier, president of Disney Television Studios and Global Original Television Strategy.
Disney has announced the promotion of Carol Turner, who currently serves as ABC Signature EVP Production and Post-Production, to the position of Head of Production for Disney Entertainment Television.
Turner assumed this role in the spring of last year during the consolidation of production operations across Disney TV Studios, Hulu, Freeform, and FX, as part of the company’s restructuring efforts. In her expanded role, she will oversee physical production and backlot functions for major studios and platforms, including 20th Television, ABC Signature, ABC Entertainment, FX Productions, Disney+, Hulu, Freeform, and Onyx Collective. Her responsibilities extend to more than 100 current series and pilots.
John Ziffren, previously with ABC Signature, has been promoted to EVP of Production and Post-Production, taking over Turner’s prior responsibilities. He, along with FX EVP of Production Nick Lombardo, will report to Turner. The replacement for Nissa Diederich, who departed in December, is yet to be named.
Eric Schrier, President of Disney Television Studios and Global Original Television Strategy, said: “Carol is a proven leader with the unique ability to deftly navigate production challenges and support the creative vision of our creators. Just a few months into her new role, she has already made a major impact in how we manage our productions across Disney Entertainment Television.”
Turner’s oversight includes a wide range of Disney Entertainment Television shows, such as 9-1-1 (ABC), Grey’s Anatomy (ABC), High Potential (ABC), and Only Murders in the Building (Hulu), as well as upcoming series like American Sports Story (FX) and Tracker (CBS).
Before joining ABC Signature in 2020, Turner held executive roles at Skydance, Netflix, and BBC Worldwide Production. Her extensive career in production spans TV, film, scripted, and unscripted content.
Ziffren, who joined ABC Signature in 2015, has a background in developing pilots and series at 20th Century Fox TV and eight years at ABC Family (now Freeform), where he served as executive producer and VP of Production. His career includes involvement in the production of over 1,500 episodes of television.
