Netflix has recruited Ollie Madden, currently director of Film4 and Channel 4 Drama, to lead the streamer’s U.K. film division, filling a key slot in Dan Lin’s new global film team. The 48-year-old executive will transfer to Netflix’s London hub in October after eight years at Channel 4, where he oversaw Film4’s feature slate and the broadcaster’s scripted series portfolio.
Madden joined Channel 4 in 2017, became director in 2022 and, last year, assumed joint control of Film4 and drama, shepherding Oscar winners “Poor Things,” “The Zone of Interest” and “The Favourite.” “I’ve been incredibly proud to spend the past eight years with Film4 … and I’m very excited to work with Anne and Dan to build Netflix’s film business in the U.K.,” he wrote in a staff memo.
Reporting to vice-president of content Anne Mensah, Madden will serve as chairman Dan Lin’s point person on British features as Netflix trims its global output but doubles down on regional originals. The company says it has spent about £4.8 billion producing shows and films in Britain since 2020, underscoring the U.K.’s role as its largest production hub outside the United States. Analysts note that the hire positions Netflix to accelerate home-grown movies just as the streamer navigates a more selective, profitability-driven slate strategy.
To maintain momentum at Film4, head of creative Farhana Bhula becomes interim director and commissioning editor Gwawr Lloyd moves up to head of drama on 1 July while a permanent leadership plan is drafted. Channel 4 content chief Ian Katz praised Madden for “shaping a generation of distinctive British films” and confirmed an external search will begin later this year.
Madden’s exit coincides with mounting concern over the future of domestic cinema. Appearing before Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee in February 2024, he warned that the volume of British independent features was “in decline” despite record inward investment from Hollywood productions. Producer Rebecca O’Brien told the same hearing the sector could “die” without new fiscal support, highlighting the stakes for local storytellers as streamers expand their leverage.
