Liz Franco shocks Amazon by ditching Netflix to spark bold nonfiction

Amazon’s nonfiction division announced today that former Netflix executive Liz Franco will join the company as a Creative Executive. Franco brings five years of documentary experience from Netflix, where she managed and produced series such as *Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model* and *Simone Biles Rising*.

She begins working with Amazon immediately after her departure from Netflix.

Franco’s portfolio at Netflix included high‑profile titles like *Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult*, *Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey?*, and *Death of a Pastor’s Wife* as well as the *Turning Point* franchise.

She joined Netflix in October 2021 as Manager, Original Documentary Series, before moving into senior creative roles that oversaw flagship productions such as *Chef’s Table* and *Fit for TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser*.

Prior to Netflix, Franco spent two years at CNN producing series such as *United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell* and *This Is Life with Lisa Ling*. Earlier in her career she held positions at Vox Media and WME, building a foundation that spans news and narrative documentary formats.

## Background & Context

Amazon’s nonfiction arm has recently strengthened its leadership by adding former Netflix talent. Franco’s appointment follows the arrival of Ariane Wu, who joined Amazon earlier this year as Senior Creative Executive Documentary Series after a stint at Netflix.

Wu reports to Jenn Levy, a senior executive in Amazon’s nonfiction department.

In a note to colleagues, Wu highlighted Franco’s extensive documentary executive experience, adding that “Liz’s contributions and insights will be crucial to building a slate of must‑watch, immersive, top‑tier documentaries.” The move positions Amazon to compete more aggressively with other streaming services in the nonfiction space.

Franco’s background showcases her ability to develop compelling storytelling across diverse subjects. Her work on series such as *Chef’s Table*, *Fit for TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser*, and the *Turning Point* franchise demonstrates a track record of high‑quality content.

Her time at CNN further cemented her credentials with series like *Lincoln: Divided We Stand*.

## What Happens Next

Franco will start her role as Creative Executive today, reporting to Wu and working closely with Levy to shape Amazon’s documentary slate. Her responsibilities include scouting new projects and guiding development to align with the platform’s strategic goals.

Amazon’s expansion of nonfiction talent signals a broader push to grow its documentary offerings. The addition of former Netflix executives like Franco is part of a strategy to rival other streaming services in both quality and audience reach.

While Amazon has not yet disclosed specific projects Franco will lead, stakeholders expect her expertise to influence upcoming releases. Her proven track record suggests she will help craft titles that resonate with viewers and bolster Amazon’s nonfiction catalog.

Amazon’s hiring of Liz Franco underscores the platform’s commitment to strengthening its nonfiction portfolio with seasoned talent from industry leaders such as Netflix.