Jeff Hasler, President, Original Productions, Fremantle

Jeff Hasler serves as the president of Fremantle’s Original Productions (OP) where he supervises and leads all development, production, business and strategic aspects of the studio. Since taking over leadership of OP in 2018, Hasler has continually evolved the studio into a premier, boundary-pushing content producer, expanding its slate far beyond its original vision. Under his leadership, the studio now develops and produces high-impact and feature-length documentaries that blend cinematic storytelling with rigorous research. He has also broadened OP’s focus to tackle more urgent and topical subject matter, examining major historical events, uncovering under-reported narratives and taking deep, thoughtful dives into some of the most influential figures of our time. His commitment to curiosity, clarity and craft has positioned OP as a trusted source for audiences seeking meaningful, culturally relevant storytelling.

OP’s projects under his leadership have included Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles (IFC Films); A Radical Life (Discovery+); Phat Tuesdays: The Era of Hip Hop Comedy (Prime Video); Loan Wolves (MSNBC); and Waco: American Apocalypse (Netflix), which premiered as the streamer’s No. 1 show in the U.S. He also oversaw the feature-length documentary Rather (Netflix), an in-depth exploration of more than 60 years of American history through the eyes of legendary journalist Dan Rather and recently shepherded the documentary Oklahoma City Bombing: American Terror, which debuted as Netflix’s No. 1 movie in the U.S., underscoring OP’s ability to deliver gripping, deeply reported explorations of pivotal historical events. Most recently the studio launched How The World Went Ape$hit, a riveting examination of the meteoric rise and dramatic collapse of the global NFT phenomenon.

Hasler has further broadened the OP’s television footprint with series such as Race to Survive (USA) and Chasing Flavor starring Carla Hall (Max), the latter earning a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Culinary Cultural Series. He also continues to champion OP’s heritage brands, including Deadliest Catch (Discovery), which just celebrated its milestone 20th season, and Bering Sea Gold (Discovery).

In addition, Hasler oversaw the launch of the RIG TV FAST channel, which showcases some of the toughest jobs on earth through OP’s classic series such as Jay Leno’s Garage, Monster Garage, and Black Gold.

Prior to his role at Fremantle, Hasler built a multifaceted career across the TV and documentary landscape, working as a producer, director, writer, and network executive known for developing acclaimed, award-winning programming. He served as EVP of production and development at National Geographic Studios, overseeing original unscripted series and feature documentaries such as Jane, Emmy-nominated StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson, Explorer, Chain of Command, Gender Revolution with Katie Couric and Sports Emmy-nominated Breaking2. Before that, he spent nearly five years as SVP of development and production for Discovery Channel, guiding network programming, including Man v. Wild, Deadliest Catch, Dirty Jobs, Storm Chasers and the annual Shark Week. He also oversaw feature documentaries such as In the Shadow of the Moon, the Oscar-nominated Encounters at the End of the World, and the Oscar-winning Man on Wire. Earlier, Hasler served as director of programming at A&E, overseeing nonfiction and reality series including Biography and the early development of Gene Simmons Family Jewels. Hasler spent his earlier years writing, directing and producing series for Bravo (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy), TLC, The History Channel, VH1, PBS, Food Network and Showtime. He began his career as an independent feature and documentary filmmaker.