Blumhouse Taps ITV America’s Gretchen Palek to Lead Unscripted

Blumhouse Television, which inked an overall deal with ITV America for unscripted television, has appointed Gretchen Palek as head of alternative.

In her new role, Palek, who was co-president of ITV America’s Leftfield Pictures, will be tasked with developing and producing a slate of nonfiction projects alongside her former ITV America colleagues.

Palek will report to Chris McCumber, Blumhouse Television’s president. Palek, who spent eight years at ITV America, oversaw development and production for a number of series in her role at Leftfield. Previously, she served as senior VP of casting and talent for ITV America.

Under their overall deal, Blumhouse and ITV America are currently preparing their first project, a horror-competition format tentatively titled Escape the Maze.

McCumber and ITV America CEO David George said: “This is one of those rare scenarios where the planets just aligned. With our new unscripted pact, Gretchen can hit the ground running, leading the stellar alternative team at Blumhouse into an exciting new chapter while continuing to collaborate with the group at ITV America, where she’s been a respected creative. It’s a seamless transition for all of us.”

Palek added: “This is an extraordinary opportunity to launch a creative endeavor with the incredible minds at Blumhouse, leaning into a style of storytelling I’m passionate about and working with insanely talented people, including my friends at ITV America. I look forward to jumping in at Blumhouse and to the work ahead with Chris and the entire team.”