After less than one year in the top position, Thom Hinkle (Angie Tribeca) has stepped down as head of original content for TBS, TNT and truTV. Hinkle’s role will be taken over by co-heads Sam Linsky (American Dad) and Adrienne O’Riain (Legends), according to Deadline. Linsky and O’Riain will co-head Scripted Originals for the networks and will report to Brett Weitz, General Manager of TBS, TNT and truTV.
Linsky had been at the Turner Broadcasting company for 25 years prior to the promotion. In his new heightened status, he will work alongside Weitz and other company leaders to develop and execute plans and program initiatives, via Deadline. This promotion also gives O’Riain the Senior Vice President title.
Hinkle was appointed to the head of original programming in October, but worked before then as the Executive Vice President of Original Programming at TBS. During that time, he helped create comedy series Miracle Workers, which was based on Simon Rich’s novel What in God’s Name and starred Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone), Geraldine Viswanathan (Blockers) and Karan Soni (Deadpool 2). He also worked on Search Party, which stars Alia Shawkat (Duck Butter), John Reynolds (Horse Girl), John Early (Late Night) and Meredith Hagner (Brightburn) as four friends in their twenties who end up investigating a disappearance of a college acquaintance.
Linsky began work with Turner Broadcasting as an assistant to the VP of Original Programming in 1997. Since then, he has overseen Southland, The Closer, Men of a Certain Age and Snowpiercer. According to Deadline, O’Riain’s work with TNT, TBS and truTV began in 2011 where she has helped launch some of its most high-profile series like Good Behavior, The Last Ship and Dallas.
The decision to hire co-heads is supported by Weitz as he told Deadline: “Sam and Adrienne make a great team. They are smart, strategic and dedicated creative executives who deliver ratings powerhouses and award winners, while also consistently rising to new challenges with striking results. As we continue to evolve our brands, the importance of our scripted Originals can’t be overstated. I am confident we are in the best possible hands under their stewardship.”