AMC and BBC America veteran Sarah Barnett is stepping down from her position as AMC Networks Entertainment Group president, the company said Thursday.

Barnett, who was named to the position in 2018, will depart after Labor Day, according to AMC. AMC Networks COO Ed Carroll will assume the position on an interim basis.

Barnett joined AMC Networks in 2008 as senior VP of marketing for the Sundance Channel (now SundanceTV) before being named president and general manager of BBC America in 2014.

“This is a year that has confronted us with radical change on multiple fronts,” said Barnett in a statement. “After a lot of consideration – and with a slightly breaking heart – I have decided that it is the right time for me to follow my curiosity and leave things in the very capable hands of the outstanding team at AMC Networks.”

Added Carroll. “Sarah came to AMC Networks more than a decade ago, when we acquired Sundance Channel. She immediately put her stamp on Sundance with fresh, impactful storytelling like Rectify and Top of the Lake which continued when she took the reins of BBC America, growing Orphan Black, the network’s natural history franchises and developing the critical and audience hit Killing Eve. At AMC, she expanded the growing franchise of The Walking Dead while greenlighting new shows including Kevin Can F*** Himself and 61st Street, and she built a strong team to meet the shifting nature of our business. Sarah is one of the most versatile executives I have had the pleasure of working with – expert at programming, branding and team building, all with an eye toward the business of a rapidly changing entertainment landscape. She is also a truly progressive leader. We will miss her at AMC Networks.”

AMC Networks said senior VP of distribution Joshua Reader has added new content partnerships to his title and his role at the programmer. He will continue to manage licensing and affiliate marketing for the company’s national networks while adding an important focus on identifying distribution and partnership opportunities for the company’s content on new and emerging digital platforms, AMC said in a release. In his affiliate role, he will continue to report to Bob Broussard, president of distribution. For his new content-focused responsibilities, he will report to chief operating officer Ed Carroll.

“Josh has played an integral role for many years in one of the most important areas of our business – maintaining and expanding our distribution relationships with our affiliate partners,” Broussard said in the release. “I look forward to continuing to work with Josh as we recognize his positive impact on the company with an expanded role to seize new opportunities for AMC Networks based on the strength of our content.”

“As our capacity to produce and own content continues to expand, along with the demand for high-quality content on new digital platforms, there are clear opportunities to build, distribute and monetize programming we create in places far beyond our linear networks,” Carroll said. “Josh is a tremendous asset to the company through his existing leadership role on our affiliate distribution team and is well-positioned to add to these responsibilities by identifying and executing on these new digital opportunities, working closely with the many people across our company who currently interact with and elevate our content on digital platforms.”

Reader joined AMC Networks in 2011 as director of business development & advanced platforms. He was promoted to VP of distribution in 2013 and senior VP of distribution in 2014. Earlier in his career, he practiced as an attorney at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP. He was a member of the MCN "40 under 40" class in 2016.

SundanceTV general manger Sarah Barnett will take over the position of BBC America president and general manager, AMC Networks said Friday.

Barnett will oversee both BBC America and SundanceTV for an interim period until the SundanceTV position is filled. Barnett will continue to report to Ed Carroll, chief operating officer of AMC Networks. Barnett began her television career at the BBC and BBC America before transitioning to then Sundance Channel in 2005. While there, SundanceTV raised its profile with the addition of original programs such as Top of the Lake, The Honorable Woman (co-produced by the BBC) and Rectify.

Current BBC America general manager Perry Simon will receive an exclusive production deal with BBC Worldwide North America, AMC Networks said, adding that Simon had said earlier he would be leaving at the end of the year. On his watch, BBC America developed and launched as original series the Civil War-era police drama Copper and the current hit Orphan Black. 

The moves come a month after AMC Networks obtained operational control of BBC America as part of AMC’s $200 million purchase of 49% interest of the network from BBC Worldwide.

“Sarah has had a remarkable tenure guiding SundanceTV through a dramatic evolution, taking the network ad-supported and establishing it as a formidable player in the scripted drama space,” Carroll said in a release. “Sarah’s appetite for creative risk-taking and her strong leadership skills are well suited to this new role and we look forward to her building on BBC America’s successes, as the network continues to establish itself as a showcase for high quality shows that resonate with critics and audiences alike.”

BBC Worldwide said Simon (pictured) will develop and produce programs for networks and digital platforms. He will continue to work closely with U.K. independent producers and writers, including those that BBC Worldwide has invested in. He reports into Matt Forde, EVP sales and co-productions, BBC Worldwide North America.

Herb Scannell, president of BBC Worldwide North America, said in a release that "Perry is a creative force and has led BBC America with dedication and distinction. His deep knowledge of development, production, scheduling and marketing – along with his hallmark determination and thoughtfulness -- have been key in growing the channel and reaching new audiences.”