Netflix fires film chief Dan Lin in week of cuts and exits

Netflix has fired film chief Dan Lin, the executive in charge of the movies it makes and buys.

Co-chief executive Ted Sarandos told Lin on Friday that he was dismissed, according to Variety in a report published 20 October. The decision followed the departure of chief content officer Bela Bajaria on Thursday. That is a fast fall.

The exits came in the week of a 6% workforce reduction at Netflix, reported by Variety. That cut was the company's biggest layoff since 2022, according to Business Insider. Bajaria, who oversaw much of the programming, left as part of that reduction.

Lin's deputy also left. Doug Belgrad, described as Lin's right-hand, exited as part of the cuts, reported by Variety. Belgrad had served as vice-president of film for two years, according to Deadline.

Peter Rice will now preside over content at Netflix, reported by Variety. Rice takes the content role previously held by Bajaria, according to an earlier Variety report.

Lin was halfway through a five-year deal when he was dismissed, reported by Variety. He had taken over from Scott Stuber, who exited as film head in mid-2024. Lin reorganised his film executives by genre expertise, replacing the prior organisation by budget range.

His tenure also brought unwelcome headlines. Variety reported leaks alleging tension between Lin and film-makers Greta Gerwig and Ben Affleck. The report does not present those leaks as confirmed fact.

Gerwig remains central to Netflix's cinema plans. Her 'Narnia: The Magician's Nephew' and 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' are slated to reach cinemas next year, according to Variety.

The timing turned awkward. Lin appeared at Saturday's Academy Gala in the same room as Sarandos after his dismissal, reported by Variety.

For viewers, this means new hands on the slate. The people who choose scripts, set budgets and pick release dates have changed, and Gerwig's big cinema releases will now arrive under a different film leadership.