In an attempt to restructure and cut costs at NBCUniversal, Deepak Jesrani, a senior executive, has been laid off. Jesrani, who had been with NBC for over 20 years and played a key role in developing some of the network’s biggest dramas, was sacked alongside two other senior executives, including VP Brett Osmon and Director Stephanie Rae Capizzo.
The move comes as part of a company’s workforce reduction ahead of NBCUniversal’s split with Versant at the end of the year and has affected several departments including scripted programming.
Who is Deepak Jesrani?
An Indian-origin television executive, Deepak Jesrani, has been one of the driving forces behind NBC’s drama lineup since the early 2000s and has handled many creative projects. He joined NBC in 2002 and slowly climbed the top ranks, starting in drama development and current programming before becoming a core part of the leadership team. Over the years, Jesrani became one of the steady hands behind NBC’s scripted slate.
In 2019, Jesrani was promoted to Senior Vice President, Drama Development. After securing the role, he oversaw a wide range of hit dramas for both NBC and Peacock, the network’s streaming platform. His portfolio includes major titles such as Manifest, New Amsterdam, Timeless, and Blindspot, along with upcoming projects like The Enemy Within and The InBetween.
Early in his career, Jesran worked on NBC’s most successful shows, including The Blacklist, Chicago Fire, and Grimm. Before that, he worked on well-loved series like Chuck, My Name Is Earl, and Heroes, which defined a strong period for NBC’s storytelling.
When Jesrani was promoted in 2019, the network was basking in the glow of its success and recognition worldwide. At the time, NBC’s then Co-Presidents of Scripted Programming, Lisa Katz and Tracey Pakosta, praised him for his talent, creative instincts, and contribution of valuable years to the network’s storytelling success. “This team has been responsible for some of the most beloved shows on television, and we are so happy to recognize Deepak and Mike’s talent, dedication and significant contributions to our programming,” said Katz and Tracey Pakosta at the time. “We’re also very excited to have Lisa join NBC. She has sharp creative instincts and deep relationships across the industry and will make a great addition to an already strong drama development team.”
Known for his creative approach and brilliant understanding of television audiences, Jesrani earned a reputation as a reliable voice who knew how to balance ambition with audience appeal. His work often carried strong writing, emotional storytelling, and character-driven plots, qualities that helped several NBC dramas become household names.
NBCUniversal is currently preparing to divide into two entities, NBCUniversal and Versant, a step that has led to multiple waves of layoffs this year. Earlier rounds affected NBC News and other divisions, while this latest cut focused on the Television Entertainment Group.