Dan Lin Exits as Netflix Film Chief Amid Executive Shake-Up
Dan Lin has left his role as Netflix's film chief, according to sources. His exit follows the departures of chief content officer Bela Bajaria and other senior executives, as Netflix carries out layoffs affecting roughly 1,000 employees. Peter Rice, who is now chief content officer, will lead the search for new film leadership.
Dan Lin’s departure follows a broader Netflix leadership overhaul. Chief content officer Bela Bajaria, film VP Doug Belgrad and several senior TV executives have also left, while the company is cutting about 1,000 jobs—its largest reduction since 2022. Peter Rice, now chief content officer, will oversee the search for Lin’s successor.
Lin arrived in 2024, succeeding Scott Stuber. He restructured Netflix’s film operation around genres, with Kira Goldberg and Niija Kuykendall overseeing areas such as sci-fi, romantic comedy and family titles. The slate emphasized mid-budget projects and adaptations, though larger projects like Greta Gerwig’s Narnia and David Fincher’s next film remained in motion.
The shake-up could unsettle film crews, producers, and talent reliant on Netflix commissions, especially after roughly 1,000 layoffs. Fewer mid-budget and genre-focused projects may narrow opportunities for emerging filmmakers and below-the-line workers, while audiences might see a slate tilted toward broad, buzzy titles. The search for new film leadership may also signal how much risk Netflix is willing to take on theatrical-style prestige and original movies.