From the Ath to Apple: Storytelling from CMC to Streaming TV
Morgan Wandell '93 is an industry-leading television executive and producer who has been responsible for some of the most iconic and genre-defining series of digital streaming and broadcast television, including the Apple TV+ limited series “The Masters of the Air” from Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,” starring Kurt Russell; Amazon Studios’ Emmy-winning “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan,” “The Man In the High Castle,” and Golden Globe-winning “Goliath,” starring Billy Bob Thornton.
As Head of International Content Development at Apple TV+, Wandell leads content teams to develop and produce ambitious series around the globe to surprise and delight audiences. His most recent work includes the upcoming series “The New Look” about the iconic fashion designers Coco Chanel and Christian Dior, the science fiction series “Constellation” from Emmy-winning director Michelle MacClaren and starring Noomi Rapace, Taika Waititi’s adaptation of “Time Bandits,” and Oscar-winning filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron’s thriller “Disclaimer,” starring Cate Blanchett, Kevin Klein, and Sasha Barron Cohen. He also is responsible for the International Emmy-winning series “Tehran” among other shows.
Before joining Apple TV+, Wandell launched international originals for Amazon Studios after Prime Video’s expansion into over 200 countries. He played a key role in delivering local originals at the highest level of quality, including Indian-set series “Inside Edge,” “The Family Man,” and “Breathe,” the Spanish language thriller “El Candidato,” and the Emmy award-winning co-production “A Very English Scandal,” starring Hugh Grant. Prior to his international role, Wandell built and lead the drama series team in the early days of Amazon Studios, overseeing development of “Bosch,” “Sneaky Pete,” and “Patriot.”
Wandell also served as a senior executive at ABC Studios, where he led the teams responsible for the development and production of hit series, such as “Desperate Housewives,” Grey’s Anatomy,” “Lost,” “Ugly Betty,” “Brothers and Sisters,” and “Criminal Minds.” Under his leadership, ABC studios expanded from one series on the air to over twenty in less than five years.
A native of Champaign, IL, Wandell graduated with honors from Claremont McKenna College with a BA in Economics.
Mr. Wandell's talk is part of the Athenaeum's 40th Anniversary Series, which celebrates the achievements of CMC alumni from across the years and invites them to return home to Claremont.