Ben Haigh
Lecturer
Ben Haigh is Senior Vice President of Scripted Programming at AMC Networks, where he co-runs the scripted group that sources and produces all original domestic content for both AMC and AMC+.
Since joining AMC Networks four years ago, Ben has risen from Director of Scripted Programming, to Vice President, to his current SVP role where he co-manages a group of five executives, tasked with both developing original programming concepts for AMC and AMC+, and shepherding the projects through the production, post, marketing, and release. Ben has developed such projects as KEVIN CAN F*** HIMSELF, starring Annie Murphy from Schitt’s Creek, DARK WINDS, from executive producers Robert Redford and George RR Martin, TALES OF THE WALKING DEAD, from Scott Gimple and Channing Powell, as well as the flagship property in AMC’s new franchise Anne Rice Universe: ANNE RICE’S INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, from creator Rolin Jones.
One of Ben’s proudest achievements is his work on the award winning DARK WINDS, a neo-Noir western set in 1970s New Mexico, specifically detailing and exploring the Navajo experience through a crime procedural lens. Recently renewed for season three, DARK WINDS has not only been a critical and commercial success for AMC and AMC+, garnering a rare 100% on Rotten Tomatoes for the first two seasons in a row, but also a triumph in terms of cultural impact: through Ben’s partnership with the producing team, the show built one of the first fully Native American and Indigenous writers rooms, and has given multiple Native writer/directors their first shot at both writing and directing episodes of television.
Prior to his time at AMC Networks, Ben was Manager of Development for David Shore (creator of HOUSE) at his company Shore Z, where he developed SNEAKY PETE with Bryan Cranston, as well as the first three seasons of the ABC juggernaut THE GOOD DOCTOR. Before that, he was an agent trainee at Independent Talent, London—and has also worked at Columbia Pictures and Chernin Entertainment.
In addition, Ben also lectures at the UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television, where he has taught in both undergraduate and graduate curriculums. Ben lives in Culver City with his partner Shea, and Australian Shepherd Oshi.
