Liz Lewin to lead on the genre for the streamer

Liz Lewin, the former Sky drama commissioner and Derry Girls exec producer, is to become Netflix UK’s first dedicated comedy lead. 

Lewin, who is also exec-ing Hat Trick’s forthcoming Netflix series How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the streamer’s UK comedy slate. 

She will take up the role at the end of this month and will work closely with vice president of content for the UK Anne Mensah to develop and deliver “globally acclaimed shows with a strong local core”.  

Liz Lewin departed from Sky in 2022, having presided over series including I Hate Suzie and The Lovers. She is also a former Channel 4 comedy commissioner where she looked after shows including Ackley Bridge and The End of the F***ing World.  

Lewin also developed and executive produced three series of Channel 4’s award-winning Derry Girls and has a long-standing working relationship with creator Lisa McGee.  

She most recently served as an executive producer on McGee’s most recent series How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, which drops next month. 

Broadcast revealed in November that the streaming giant was seeking its first UK comedy commissioner, and had met with multiple senior figures in the genre. 

Previously, comedy was handled across the scripted team, by the likes of Chris Sussman, who commissioned comedic titles including Rowan Atkinson-fronted slapstick series Man vs Bee, and Jon Montague, who was working with the streamer on a contract basis developing comedy-focused projects for the streamer.