Disney+ Bolsters UK Scripted Team with Two Key Hires to Drive Original Content Growth

Disney+ is deepening its commitment to British storytelling by appointing Ron O'Berst as Director of Scripted Originals UK and Laura Klimke as Senior Development Manager, Scripted Originals UK. The hires, reported by Deadline and Variety, come six months after Disney+ EMEA Head of Content Angela Jain promoted four executives and unveiled a slate of European originals at Series Mania, signaling a sustained push into local production.

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DeadlineDisney+ Appoints Ron O'Berst and Laura Klimke to UK Scripted Originals TeamVarietyDisney+ Hires Ron O'Berst and Laura Klimke to Lead U.K. Scripted Originals Expansion

O'Berst, an executive producer on 'What It Feels Like For a Girl,' joins from Hera Pictures, while Klimke, a development executive from the series 'Wreck,' arrives from Pure Fiction Television. According to Deadline, O'Berst will be tasked with accelerating investment in original content, building on the momentum of shows like 'Rivals' and 'Alice and Steve.'

"The UK commissioning team is behind shows like 'Rivals' and 'Alice and Steve', with O'Berst joining to accelerate investment in original content."

Variety noted that the hires follow the success of the Disney+ series 'Rivals' and underscore the company's determination to expand its original programming in the UK market. The appointments suggest Disney+ is betting heavily on British creative talent to differentiate its streaming service in a crowded landscape.

With O'Berst and Klimke now in place, the UK scripted team gains both creative leadership and development expertise. Their arrival positions Disney+ to compete more aggressively for original projects, potentially drawing more high-profile British writers and producers to the platform.