The ABC is pleased to announce the appointment of Rachel Millar as the new Head of Entertainment, overseeing programs such as Hard Quiz, The Weekly with Charlie Pickering, Gruen and the Fresh Blood comedy initiative.
Millar brings to the role exceptional leadership, and a wealth of production experience across programs including Shaun Micallef’s Mad as Hell, Rove, Andrew Denton’s Interview, Spicks and Specks, Kath and Kim and Aunty Donna.
Rachel Millar said: “I fell in love with Entertainment shows growing up watching the ABC, so it’s an honour to be given the opportunity to take on the role of Head of Entertainment. The ABC has been the home of so many groundbreaking entertainment programs over the years, it’s a thrill to be able to continue the tradition of fostering great Australian talent, both in front of and behind the camera.”
Millar has been the acting Head of Entertainment since August 7 and takes up the position with the ABC Content division effective immediately. Joining Head of Scripted Rachel Okine, Head of Factual Susie Jones, Head of Children’s and Family Libbie Doherty and Head of Arts, Music and Events Kath Earle – Millar rounds out an all-female Screen leadership team reporting to Jennifer Collins.
Jennifer Collins, herself a former Head of Entertainment at ABC and now as ABC’s Head of Screen Content, welcomed Rachel’s appointment: “I am thrilled to have Rachel at the helm of our entertainment slate. She is one of the best and most highly respected creative entertainment execs in this country and I can’t wait for her to get her hands on the development slate for our ABC audiences who love their comedy & entertainment”.
Millar has developed and produced comedy and entertainment programming for both the independent production sector and for the ABC.
ABC Chief Content Officer Chris Oliver-Taylor said: “I am delighted that with Rachel’s appointment, the ABC’s Entertainment, Factual, Arts, Music & Events, Children’s and Family and Scripted teams are all led by female leaders. It is a wonderful testament to Jen Collins as Head of Screen and her leadership that we have managed to attract and retain colleagues of the calibre of Susie Jones, Libbie Doherty, Kath Earle, Rachel Okine and now joined by Rachel Millar.”
ABOUT RACHEL MILLAR
Rachel Millar joined the ABC in 2021 as an Executive Producer in Entertainment, and in her time has overseen flagship programs including Gruen, Spicks and Specks, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and Question Everything. Prior to that, she was an Executive Producer, Series Producer and Development Producer across Entertainment and Comedy. She has had a hand in producing Shaun Micallef’s Mad as Hell, Rove, Andrew Denton’s Interview, Adam Hills In Gordon St Tonight, Dirty Laundry Live, and Kath and Kim. She also produced comedy web series’ A Message from Malcolm, and the acclaimed Aunty Donna: Glennridge Secondary College.
