Fremantle’s Director of Global Entertainment, Andrew Llinares, has announced his decision to step down this spring, after holding the position since January 2023. During his tenure, Llinares played a key role in shaping and leading Fremantle’s global entertainment portfolio and format development, reporting directly to Group CEO Jennifer Mullin.
With over two decades of experience in the entertainment industry, Llinares has an impressive track record, having previously served as a showrunner on popular shows like “The X Factor” and “Britain’s Got Talent” during their original launches in 2004 and 2007, respectively. He later went on to become an executive producer and showrunner for “The X Factor USA” and “Dancing With the Stars” in the United States.
Mullin praised Llinares as a visionary creative and expressed gratitude for their close collaboration over the years. She fully supports his decision to pursue his passion for creating content once again and wishes him the best in his future endeavors. Llinares, in turn, expressed his love for his time at Fremantle but felt compelled to return to his creative roots and embark on a new creative adventure.
Following Llinares’ departure, the global entertainment division and leadership team will report directly to Mullin on an interim basis until a suitable successor is found. Despite his absence, Llinares leaves behind a strong legacy at Fremantle, which boasts a diverse entertainment portfolio that includes popular shows like “Masked Singer,” “The X Factor,” “Got Talent,” and “Idol.” In 2025 alone, the company delivered an impressive 345 commissions and 302 productions across 62 territories.
As Fremantle begins the search for a new director of global entertainment, the company remains committed to delivering high-quality content and engaging programming to audiences around the world. Llinares’ departure marks the end of an era, but also signals the beginning of new opportunities and creative ventures for both him and Fremantle as they continue to innovate and evolve in the ever-changing entertainment landscape.
