Amazon MGM Studios Cuts 14,000 Jobs Including Top Casting Executives Amid Layoffs

Significant layoffs have impacted the entertainment industry, including at Fifth Season and Amazon MGM Studios. Fifth Season laid off about 10% of its staff, resulting in the departure of Jill Arthur, EVP of TV Development and Production, among others, following the exit of co-CEO Chris Rice. Meanwhile, Amazon announced a wider corporate layoff affecting 14,000 employees globally, leading to the exit of several senior executives at Amazon MGM Studios, including Nathan Kitada, Liz Cohen, Pricilla Light, Meggie Choi, and others involved in creative and development roles. Donna Rosenstein, the longtime head of casting at Amazon MGM Studios who played a key role in casting major shows like "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" and "Reacher," is also leaving as part of these cuts. Rosenstein was notable for being the first in-house casting executive at a major streaming service and helped build Amazon MGM's casting department over her decade-long tenure. These layoffs reflect broader restructuring efforts in the industry, influenced by factors including advances in AI and corporate realignment.