EXCLUSIVE: Ridley Scott’s Scott Free has appointed Elyse Seder as EVP and Head of Nonfiction and has named EVP Marjorie Chodorov Head of Physical Production.
In the newly created role, Seder will oversee creative, talent and partnerships for nonfiction content. Scott Free has ventured into unscripted programming, most recently with the multi-part Still Missing Morgan for Hulu/ABC News earlier this year, but the company hadn’t had a dedicated nonfiction executive or department in over 8 years. Seder’s hire marks an expansion into the arena.
Meanwhile, Chodorov will be in charge of all aspects of physical and post-production for Scott Free’s TV division. She has been with the company since 2021 as EVP Production, with her role now expanding to include nonfiction and international.
Both Seder and Chodorov will report to Scott Free’s CCO David W Zucker, President of Television Clayton Krueger, and President of Film Mike Pruss.
Seder was previously the SVP of Unscripted at Sony Pictures Television, where she oversaw all documentary programming for the studio. During her tenure, she developed, packaged and produced such series as 7 Days Out (Netflix), The Long Game (Apple+), Men In Kilts (Starz) and Murder House Flip (Quibi/Roku).
Before joining Scott Free was the Head of Production for The Mark Gordon Company, where she managed the production, post, and finance teams on Designated Survivor and Conviction for ABC and the Aaron Sorkin feature Molly’s Game. A member of the Producers Guild of America, Chodorov spent many years in the field on productions, including Cosmos: Possible Worlds for Fox and Nat Geo. Her credits also include Nocturnal Animals, Star Trek Beyond, Fantastic Four, Walking With Dinosaurs 3D, and The Pacific.
“Elyse is the embodiment of everything Scott Free aspires to in terms of taste, hustle, and big-picture vision. Her enthusiasm, relationships and skill set make for an enormously compelling venture back into the nonfiction creative space,” said Zucker and Krueger. “Furthermore, Marjorie’s production expertise and meticulous work ethic are a tremendous benefit to the company’s production ambitions, and a valued service to the breadth of needs with our talent partners.”
Scott Free’s current TV slate include Sinking Spring, a crime drama series starring Brian Tyree-Henry for Apple TV+, with the pilot episode directed by Ridley Scott; Alien, a new series by Noah Hawley for FX; Blade Runner 2099, a series sequel to Blade Runner 2049 for Amazon, and the crime mystery Prime Target for Apple TV+ UK.
“The company’s premium scripted and cinematic roots reflect the high level of craft they bring to every project, and it’s an honor to be tasked with building a nonfiction team that can further the reach of this iconic brand,” Seder said.
Said Chodorov, “Supporting our creative team in my role as Head of Production, has given me the rare opportunity to work with creators and showrunners at the highest level.”