Andrew Llinares Steps Down from His Role as Global Entertainment Leader at Fremantle After Three Years

Andrew Llinares to Depart Fremantle after Three Years

Andrew Llinares, the global entertainment head of Fremantle and a former executive producer of Dancing with the Stars, announced he will leave the company this spring. While specific details regarding his successor remain undisclosed, Fremantle indicated that its global entertainment division will temporarily report to CEO Jennifer Mullin.

Llinares expressed a desire to return to his roots in creative production, stating, “I want to get back to making shows and being creative myself.” His time at Fremantle has been marked by significant contributions, as he played a key role in shaping the company’s acclaimed global entertainment portfolio and its format development.

Prior to his tenure at Fremantle, Llinares executive produced five seasons of Dancing with the Stars and served as a showrunner for The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent, both co-produced by Fremantle.

Fremantle’s lineup includes popular entertainment shows such as Got Talent, Too Hot To Handle, and The Piano.

Mullin praised Llinares as “a visionary creative,” noting, “I have been extremely fortunate to work closely with him over many years.” She highlighted his role in developing some of the most iconic entertainment shows ever produced.

In his farewell statement, Llinares acknowledged the difficulty of his decision, expressing gratitude for his experiences at Fremantle: “It has been an honour to work with them all and our amazing Global Entertainment Team – I know our paths will cross again. I’ve loved every moment, but I couldn’t ignore the creative itch to get back to making content myself. Now it’s on to the next creative adventure.”

This departure follows the recent announcement by Christian Vesper, Fremantle’s global drama and film chief, that he would also be leaving the company after a decade.