Andrew Llinares to Step Down at Fremantle

Andrew Llinares will be stepping down from his position as director of global entertainment at Fremantle this spring.

Since taking on the role in January 2023, Llinares has played a central role in leading and shaping Fremantle’s global entertainment portfolio and its format development. In 2025, Fremantle Entertainment delivered 345 commissions and 302 productions across 62 territories.

Fremantle’s formats catalog includes The Price Is Right, Family Feud, Got Talent, Masked Singer, Farmer Wants a Wife, B&B of Love, The Farm, The X Factor, Freeze, Who Knew?, Love Never Lies and The Piano.

Llinares’ association with Fremantle spans more than two decades. He was the original showrunner on The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent during their landmark U.K. launches in 2004 and 2007, respectively, while heading the Thames/Syco co-production unit.

In 2011, Llinares served as executive producer of The X Factor USA. He later became executive producer and showrunner of Dancing with the Stars in 2018.

“Andrew is a visionary creative,” said Jennifer Mullin, group CEO of Fremantle. “I have been extremely fortunate to work closely with him over many years—both in his current leadership role and during his time as a creative executive producer and showrunner. He has been responsible for developing some of the most iconic and successful entertainment shows ever made. I have proudly watched him nurture new creative formats, bring them to life on screen and, in doing so, help unlock talent both behind and in front of the camera. In his current executive position, Andrew has further strengthened Fremantle’s unrivaled portfolio and championed the development of emerging formats while leading our brilliant global entertainment team. I fully appreciate and support Andrew’s decision to return to his real creative passion—making shows again. Although he will be deeply missed, we all wish him the very best for the future, and I am certain our collaboration will continue.”

Llinares added, “Firstly, I want to thank Jennifer Mullin for her friendship, support and inspirational mentorship, including giving me the opportunity to experience another side of this incredible industry. I have been inspired by working within the Fremantle global leadership team and seeing the industry through a wider strategic lens. But I feel the time is right for me to return to my first love—making shows and being creative myself. This has been a very difficult decision. Fremantle is an exceptional company with exceptional teams around the world, who I believe are the very best in the industry. It has been an honor 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.”