Robert Greenblatt Returns to NBCUniversal With Universal Television Deal

Robert Greenblatt has signed a first-look deal with Universal Television, returning to NBCUniversal as a producer through his company The Green Room, according to Deadline. TheWrap reported that the agreement brings Greenblatt back to the company where he previously served as chairman of NBC Entertainment from 2011 to 2018.

The Details

Deadline reported that Greenblatt's new pact gives Universal Television a first look at projects from The Green Room. Greenblatt said in a statement reported by TheWrap, "I'm overjoyed to be coming back to NBCU to produce shows with my old friends at Universal Television."

Variety reported that the first project under the deal is a series adaptation of Julie Clark's novel "The Lies I Tell." Deadline reported that Ken Olin, Roxanne Olin, Julie Clark, Robert Greenblatt, and Jon Wu are attached as executive producers on the adaptation.

Deadline described the pact as a first-look deal for Greenblatt through The Green Room, and TheWrap described the return as a producer role. The sourced reports do not describe the agreement as a return to an NBC executive post; they identify Universal Television as the studio partner and The Green Room as Greenblatt's company.

TheWrap reported that Greenblatt has remained connected to Universal Television through HBO's "The Gilded Age," where he is an executive producer. That connection sits alongside the new Universal Television first-look arrangement reported by Deadline.

The Hollywood Reporter quoted Erin Underhill, president of Universal Television, saying, "Bob is a well-respected creative force in the industry. Welcoming him back to Universal Television feels both exciting and fitting." The Hollywood Reporter also reported that Underhill said Greenblatt's taste, vision, and relationships have shaped some of television's most enduring hits.

Deadline reported that the Universal Television agreement follows Greenblatt's previous first-look deal with Lionsgate Television. The new deal places The Green Room's television development back inside the NBCUniversal studio system, according to Deadline and TheWrap.

There was one naming discrepancy across the reports. TheWrap referred to The Green Room executive as John Wu, while Deadline, Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter identified him as Jon Wu; Zero Signal is using Jon Wu based on the majority of the sourced reports.

Context

Greenblatt's NBC background is central to the agreement because TheWrap reported that he chaired NBC Entertainment from 2011 to 2018. Variety reported that his NBC tenure included oversight of shows such as "The Voice," "This Is Us," "The Good Place," and the "One Chicago" franchise.

Before his NBC role, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Greenblatt was president of Showtime Networks. The Hollywood Reporter said his Showtime period included oversight of series such as "Dexter," "Weeds," "Shameless," and "Californication."

Variety's account ties the return to Greenblatt's prior NBC programming record by naming several shows from that period. The Hollywood Reporter separately frames the background through Greenblatt's earlier Showtime leadership and the series it said he oversaw there.

The first-look structure gives Universal Television early access to The Green Room projects, according to Deadline's report on the deal. Deadline also reported that Greenblatt had held a similar arrangement with Lionsgate Television before moving to the Universal Television pact.

The project named across the reports keeps the initial focus on scripted adaptation. Variety identified "The Lies I Tell" as Julie Clark's novel, while Deadline listed Clark among the executive producers attached to the series version.

What's Next

The next identified project under the agreement is the Universal Television adaptation of "The Lies I Tell," according to Variety. Deadline reported that Ken Olin, Roxanne Olin, Julie Clark, Robert Greenblatt, and Jon Wu are attached as executive producers.

TheWrap reported that Greenblatt is returning to NBCUniversal as a producer through The Green Room, and Deadline reported that the deal is with Universal Television. TheWrap, Deadline, Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter did not report additional projects, production dates, casting, or platform details in the sourced accounts.

For Greenblatt, the announced work continues through both the new first-look pact and his existing producer credit on HBO's "The Gilded Age," according to TheWrap. For Universal Television, the announced next step in the sourced record is the development slate beginning with "The Lies I Tell," according to Variety and Deadline.