Nakul Legha
SBS has announced that Nakul Legha has been appointed Head of Scripted to oversee all of SBS's commissioned scripted content. Nakul joined SBS in January as a Commissioning Editor and has played a key role in the production and ongoing development of SBS's distinctive slate of locally commissioned scripted programs, including the new SBS Original romantic drama, "Four Years Later."
As Head of Scripted, he will oversee the network's flagship commissioned scripted series, ground-breaking short-form content through the growing slate of Digital Originals, and industry initiatives, such as Originate Features, that elevate new and diverse voices. Nakul brings a wealth of industry experience to the role, including experience in the creative, commercial, and legal aspects of television and film commissioning, acquisitions, and programming. "I'm honoured to take on this role and build on SBS's incredible legacy of bold and distinctive Australian stories. SBS is one of the world's great cultural institutions. The stories and faces on SBS were my connection to Australian culture and community as a newly arrived immigrant. I'm thrilled to be able to return the favour and deliver shows that delight, surprise and resonate with audiences here and across the world," Nakul said.
John Godfrey, SBS's Head of Commissioning, said: "We're thrilled to have Nakul leading SBS Scripted in recognition of his exceptional talents and genuine passion for Australian stories. We're excited to see him continue to evolve our scripted slate and create stories that celebrate and connect with all Australians."
SBS's Scripted commissioning team includes Zaina Ahmed, who joined the network in May as a Development Executive. Zaina was the Associate Producer of the SBS Original series Erotic Stories and has previously worked in television development at Wooden Horse, TV sales at eOne, and TVC production at Collider. Zaina also serves as Coordinator for Screen Australia's Gender Matters Taskforce. Sally Riley, former head of Drama, Entertainment, and Indigenous at ABC, will continue to work with SBS Scripted as a creative consultant supporting the development of scripted projects.
Nakul joined SBS from Netflix, where he spent several years helping to grow the streamer's local content strategy and oversaw original developments and productions as a Creative Executive, including the award-winning "Boy Swallows Universe," "Wellmania," "Surviving Summer," and "ONEFOUR: Against All Odds." He also led the streamer's local film and TV programming and acquisitions, including the historic co-commission with NITV for the Logie-nominated children's series "Eddie's Lil' Homies." He started his career as an Intellectual Property and entertainment lawyer, most recently at ABC, where he negotiated commissioning, acquisition, and talent deals and advised on critical initiatives for emerging and diverse talent.