Laura Lancaster, NBC Head of Drama Programming, Is Out
Laura Lancaster, NBC's executive vice president of drama programming, is out after six years, TheWrap has learned.
NBC declined to confirm her exit late Monday but the network has been struggling to break out of fourth place in the ratings in recent years and a breakout drama has failed to materialize. An individual close to the situation told TheWrap that Lancaster was told of the decision on Monday.
The musical "Smash" and "Grimm" were successful last year, but "The Playboy Club" -- canceled last fall after three episodes -- and "Prime Suspect" were high-profile misses.
Also read: NBC Chief Bob Greenblatt: "We Had a Really Bad Fall"
NBC also launched the critical favorites "Heroes" and "Friday Night Lights" during her tenure.
Lancaster attended this year's upfront presentations and touted the second season of "Smash" and two new shows, "Revolution" and "Chicago Fire," both of which will debut in the fall.
Lancaster was promoted to her position in 2006 after being a programming executive at NBC Universal Television Studio. In that post she was credited with developing the hit shows "House" and "Crossing Jordan," among others.
NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt came from Showtime, and could look to the cable network for a replacement.
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