Laura Lancaster is planning to leave her NBC Universal Television Studio job to take over drama development at Fox Broadcasting Company, sources close to the deal said.
Ms. Lancaster would fill the position vacated by Ted Gold, who resigned last week after three years on the job at Fox. She has served as VP of drama programming at NBC’s studio since last year and is credited with helping develop “House” (Fox’s highest-rated drama), as well as NBC’s “Heroes,” “Friday Night Lights” and the upcoming “Bionic Woman.” Before Ms. Lancaster can move, NBC Studio has to let her out of her contract, a process that is still ongoing, the sources said.
Sources said Fox has tried to lure Ms. Lancaster previously and may have finally succeeded due to a period of leadership limbo at NBC Studio in recent months. NBC Universal underwent a dramatic executive shakeup last month that resulted in Katherine Pope being installed as studio president, as well as Ben Silverman and Marc Graboff taking command as co-chairs of the TV division.
Ms. Lancaster’s No. 2 at the studio, Elisa Roth, is expected to take her place. Ms. Roth has worked closely with Ms. Lancaster developing many of the same shows.
Vernon Sanders, currently VP of comedy series at the NBC studio and credited with closely developing “The Office,” is expected to run the comedy division following the planned departure this month of senior VP Shelley McCrory, who previously asked to be let out of her contract.
Fox and NBC Studio declined to comment.
(Editor: Baumann)