Starz Executive Vice President of Original Programming Karen Bailey to Exit (EXCLUSIVE)

Karen Bailey, the Starz exec responsible for bringing “Outlander” to the network, is exiting the company at the end of the month.

Bailey’s departure as executive vice president of original programming comes as Starz is re-aligning its originals team, led by Kathryn Busby, around an owned-IP strategy and broadening offerings. Starz has been continuously reviewing its priorities since completing its separation from Lionsgate in May 2025.

Ahead of her exit, Starz offered Bailey a first-look producing deal, which she declined.

Most recently EVP of original programming, Bailey first joined Starz in 2006. The most notable achievement during her tenure was bringing the hit “Outlander” to the network, though Bailey is also credited with bringing in “The White Queen,” “The White Princess,” and the critically acclaimed documentary “Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult” and limited series “Gaslit.”

She also served as the covering executive on “Outlander” prequel “Outlander: Blood of my Blood” and the hit series “P-Valley.”

“Anyone who has had the pleasure of working with Karen is aware of her passion and dedication as a creative leader,” Starz head of original programming Kathryn Busby said. “Having been at Starz since the inception of ‘Outlander,’ she was integral to shaping the series into the hit the world knows today through her strong creative instincts and her gift for forging trusted relationships with actors and producers. Karen’s hybrid skill set across programming and production make her an impressive executive, and we are grateful for all of her work that shaped much of STARZ’s original programming over the years.”

“I have cherished my time at Starz and feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of so many extraordinary series and to have worked alongside such talented writers, producers, casts, and crew,” Bailey said. “I am enormously proud of what we created together and deeply grateful for the experience. After two remarkable decades, I’m excited to see what the next chapter brings. I have cherished my time at Starz and feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of so many extraordinary series and to have worked alongside such talented writers, producers, casts, and crew. I am enormously proud of what we created together and deeply grateful for the experience. After two remarkable decades, I’m excited to see what the next chapter brings.”