Things are getting a little more dramatic at Touchstone Television: The studio has recruited two new execs to head up its drama team.
Suzanne Patmore has been named vice president of drama series, heading up the department, while Josh Barry has joined as director of drama series. Barry reports to Patmore while Patmore will report to Touchstone TV exec veepee Steve McPherson, who made the announcement Thursday.
“They both bring an incredibly passionate outlook and a diverse, individual set of skills to the table,” McPherson said. “Solidifying this department completes the rebuilding of the studio’s creative team.”
In conjunction with the restructuring, Francie Calfo, who had been vice president of drama series, will now serve as a consultant to the drama division. Calfo, who continues to report to McPherson, will oversee “Gideon’s Crossing” and other drama projects.
“Francie has been an invaluable part of the Touchstone creative team,” McPherson said. “She had made a decision to better balance her professional and family life, and we’re thrilled to keep her in the Touchstone family.”
Patmore most recently served as a senior exec at Mutual Film Co., where she oversaw the development and production of feature films and cable projects. Patmore was also senior veepee of development at Bedford Falls, Ed Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz’s production company (“Once and Again”).
Barry comes to Touchstone from Paris Barclay’s Harparbar production label; he also spent four years at Steven Bochco Prods.
Touchstone began its restructuring in September, forming a comedy department under vice president Julia Franz (Daily Variety, Sept. 7).
