Robert Greenblatt Returns to NBCUniversal with First-Look Deal and New TV Project

Robert Greenblatt is returning to NBCUniversal after securing a first-look deal with Universal Television and launching his first project since his departure in 2018.

Greenblatt, who previously served as chairman of NBC Entertainment for seven years, will operate in a producer capacity. His inaugural project is an adaptation of Julie Clark’s novel The Lies I Tell.

“I’m overjoyed to be coming back to NBCU to produce shows with my old friends at Universal Television.”

He added,

“Pearlena Igbokwe — with whom I worked closely for 15 years at Showtime and NBC — has built Universal Studio Group into an extraordinary, world-class studio. Jon Wu and I look forward to working with her and her extraordinary teams, headed by Erin Underhill at UTV. This is an exciting time for producers in television, and we’re thrilled to have this incredible group supporting us. Who said you can’t go home again?”

Erin Underhill, president of Universal Television, responded,

“Bob is a well-respected creative force in the industry. Welcoming him back to Universal Television feels both exciting and fitting. His taste, vision and relationships have shaped some of television’s most enduring hits, and we can’t wait to collaborate with him on what comes next.”

Greenblatt’s new deal will have him producing television through his production company, The Green Room. John Wu remains the Head of Film Content. The Lies I Tell will be the first project from the company for Universal Television and will be executive produced by Ken Olin, Roxanne Olin, Wu, and Clark.

The Lies I Tell, first published in 2022, follows journalist Kat and con artist Meg as they compete for dominance a decade after Meg disrupted Kat’s life.

Before this deal, Greenblatt had a first-look agreement with Lionsgate Television and currently serves as an executive producer on HBO’s The Gilded Age.