NBC Drama Head Laura Lancaster Departing

NBC's head of drama programming is departing the network.

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Following a six-year run as executive vp drama programming, Laura Lancaster is departing the network, an NBC spokesperson confirms to The Hollywood Reporter.

After overseeing the successful launches of Heroes and Friday Night Lights, Lancaster's most recent development season saw the launch of short-lived hourlong efforts including The Playboy Club and Prime Suspect, which the struggling network yanked early last season. The executive was part of the incumbent staff that Robert Greenblatt inherited when he boarded the network as entertainment chief.

At May's upfront presentation in New York, the executive touted the return of successful first-year dramas Grimm and Smash, the latter of which Greenblatt brought with him from Showtime.

While both series were renewed, NBC has struggled to find a break-out drama as it works to improve its standing in the ratings. (With a hefty boost from the Super Bowl, the peacock pushed ahead of ABC to round the TV season ranked at No. 3.)

Lancaster's upcoming drama slate includes fall launches Revolution and Chicago Fire as well as midseason entries Do No Harm andInfamous. While NBC ordered the four dramas, its series orders this year were dominated by seven comedies, including efforts from Ryan Murphy and Josh Gad.

A replacement for Lancaster is expected to be announced shortly.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit