ABC and Khalabo Ink Society alum Jamila Hunter has landed at Freeform after exiting her role at Kenya Barris’ production company earlier this year.
Hunter will take over as senior vice president of current series and alternative programming, the Disney-owned network announced on Thursday. She’s set to begin in the position in the new year, reporting to Lauren Corrao, Freeform’s executive vice president of original programming and development.
She replaces Kary McHoul, who is stepping down from her position overseeing unscripted and transitioning into a new role as an executive producer.
“Kary has been pivotal in shaping our first major push into unscripted and we are so grateful for her significant contributions to our slate,” sCorrao said in a statement. “While we are sad that she has chosen to move on, we are thankful to be able to continue to work with her in a producing capacity. Kary’s passion, spirit and creativity has guided so much of our work at Freeform and that will continue to echo through the halls.”
McHoul’s exit comes just under two years after she was promoted to SVP of unscripted and current series programming by then-Freeform boss Karey Burke. She’ll continue with the network in her role as an executive producer on “Wrap Battle,” as well as on “Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings,” which is set to launch on Disney+ next year.
Hunter’s new role follows her departure from Barris’ Netflix-based Khalabo Ink back in August, which came less than a year after she was tapped to serve as the company’s president of TV. Prior to that, she oversaw comedy development at ABC and held positions at OWN, NBC Entertainment and 20th Century Fox Television.
“I have worked with Jamila many times as both a producer and an executive, and even tried to hire her once. Although it took nearly ten years, I feel incredibly fortunate that the time is now and that she chose to join me here alongside the talented team at Freeform,” Corrao said. “Her impeccable taste, wicked sense of humor and tremendous relationships throughout the talent community undoubtedly make her the perfect choice to lead our Current and Alternative Programming teams as we continue to grow the Freeform brand.”
“Creating rich characters that resonate with an audience is a true passion of mine, so I’m thrilled to be joining a network that values bold, distinctive and inclusive storytelling,” Hunter said. “I have tremendous respect for Lauren’s track record as an executive and producer, so the fact that I’m returning to the Disney family and joining her team as they continue to establish Freeform as the cultural leader in young adult programming is truly icing on the cake.”