Netflix’s executive shakeup claimed another top name. Dan Lin is out as head of the streamer’s film division, Netflix confirmed Monday, days after it replaced Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria with former Disney and Fox executive Peter Rice.
Co-CEO Ted Sarandos told Lin on Friday that he was out, according to Variety. Netflix hasn’t named a replacement. Rice, who starts Oct. 26, will lead the search, The Hollywood Reporter reported.
That puts one of Hollywood’s most powerful movie jobs in Rice’s hands just as Netflix heads into its biggest theatrical bets yet.
The Dan Lin Netflix exit
Lin joined Netflix in April 2024, replacing Scott Stuber, with a mandate to make fewer, cheaper films. He also backed some of the streamer’s biggest awards plays, including the Cannes acquisitions “Emilia Pérez” and “La Bola Negra.” The latter tied for best director at Cannes this year, won the Toronto International Film Festival’s People’s Choice Award and is now Netflix’s top Oscar hope. It also became the first Netflix film with publicly reported box office grosses.
“It’s been a great privilege to lead this incredible team and work with amazing filmmakers and talent to bring their movies to the world,” Lin said in a statement. “Thank you to Ted, Greg [Peters] and Bela for the opportunity.”
“I’m grateful to Dan for everything he’s done for Netflix films,” Sarandos said.
Lin’s top lieutenant, film co-head Doug Belgrad, was let go in last week’s layoffs. Variety also reported Monday that Lin’s exit came amid tensions with director Greta Gerwig over “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew,” which opens in theaters Feb. 12, 2027, as Netflix’s first wide theatrical release. It streams April 2.
How the Netflix leadership change unfolded
Netflix announced Thursday that Rice would take over as chief content officer, overseeing series, film and live events worldwide. Bajaria had been at Netflix since 2016 and held the top content job since January 2023.
Her exit was abrupt. According to Variety’s sources, Bajaria found out Wednesday evening, when she asked Sarandos directly about the rumors before a screening for the Season 3 premiere of “Nobody Wants This.” Variety described the transition as messy and said it angered many people inside and outside Netflix.
Bajaria will still be honored next month. She’s set to receive the International Emmy Founders Award on Nov. 23 in New York.
Rice brings deep film and TV experience. He ran Fox Searchlight, served as president of 21st Century Fox and led Fox Networks Group before Disney bought Fox’s entertainment assets in 2019. At Disney, he was chairman of Walt Disney Television and general entertainment until then-CEO Bob Chapek fired him in 2022.
What Rice’s arrival could mean
In his memo announcing the change, Sarandos said he sees a chance to take Netflix’s slate further, especially in “UCAN,” Netflix’s term for the U.S. and Canada, where its big, buzzy hits drive conversation worldwide. Variety reported that the emphasis raised questions about whether Netflix will push as hard on local-language shows and films as it did under Bajaria, who built much of its global slate.
Jinny Howe, head of scripted series for the U.S. and Canada, appears to be staying, according to Variety. On Tuesday, she announced a restructuring of her team, TheWrap reported.
Layoffs and industry reaction
The leadership changes followed Netflix’s largest-ever round of layoffs. Last week, Sarandos and co-CEO Greg Peters told staff the company was cutting about 1,000 jobs, or 6% of its workforce.
Hollywood has largely welcomed Rice’s return. People described him to Deadline as “smart and talented,” “a total pro” and “a gentleman,” and one representative said “there were cheers in the hallways” when his hire was announced.
He will also have bridges to rebuild. Eight TV executives have left Netflix for Amazon MGM Studios in the past year, Deadline reported, including Howe’s predecessor, Peter Friedlander.
What’s next
Netflix reported third-quarter results after the market closed Tuesday. Revenue rose about 12% to $12.87 billion, and earnings of 87 cents a share beat analysts’ estimates, Variety reported. But Netflix lowered its fourth-quarter revenue outlook, partly because of layoff costs, and cut its 2026 advertising forecast to $2.7 billion from $3 billion. Shares fell in after-hours trading.
Rice takes over Oct. 26. Former Warner Bros. film chiefs Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy have been rumored as candidates to replace Lin, but Deadline couldn’t confirm it, and Netflix hasn’t commented.
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