NBCUniversal is consolidating its casting department.
Grace Wu has been promoted to the newly created role of exec vp casting for the company’s Entertainment Content division. Wu will oversee scripted and unscripted casting for streamer Peacock and all of NBCU’s linear networks: NBC, Bravo, E!, Oxygen, Syfy, USA, Universal Kids.
Wu will report to Entertainment Content chairman Susan Rovner, the Warner Bros. TV exec who joined NBCU last year to oversee original programming for Peacock and linear networks as part of the conglomerate’s restructuring.
“There’s a reason Grace is one of the most respected casting executives in the industry; in addition to being a true champion for actors, Grace is a perpetual advocate of diversity on our screens, often encouraging showrunners and writers to think beyond how the role may have been conceived on the page,” said Rovner. “With this expansion of Grace’s purview, all of our shows will now have the opportunity to benefit from her expertise and creative spirit — and I have no doubt they will be the better for it.”
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Wu has served since 2009 as exec vp scripted casting for NBC, during which time she supervised casting for hits including This Is Us, Friday Night Lights, Parenthood and, more recently, New Amsterdam. She joined NBC’s casting department in 1999 and was promoted through the ranks since.
Reporting in to Wu will be newly promoted senior vp and head of unscripted casting and talent Tomii Crump. She will be charged with all non-scripted fare, including documentary programming, reality and talent competition programming, game show formats, specials, live events and syndication. Senior vps Teri Dean, Brian Dorfman and Jennifer McNamara and director Trey Lawson will report in to Wu.
“Tomii is a leader in the world of unscripted casting who has been instrumental in identifying talent for some of the world’s biggest format hits,” said Wu. “I am thrilled to have her at the helm of our alternative casting department, and coupled with Teri, Brian, Jennifer and Trey on the scripted side, I feel lucky to have such an incredibly talented team in place as we oversee casting the vast amount of content across the portfolio.”
Crump was senior vp talent and casting at NBC’s alternative and reality group, working on series including America’s Got Talent, American Ninja Warrior and World of Dance. She previously served as primetime casting exec for Disney, overseeing scripted and unscripted shows for ABC and ABC Signature.
Monday’s promotions are the latest example of how NBCUniversal has consolidated its executive ranks in a bid to break down silos, create cost savings while also prioritizing streamer Peacock. Other conglomerates, like Disney, have recently done the same. There were no job reductions included in Monday’s casting department promotions.
