Chris Parnell, senior creative executive of U.S. Television at Apple TV+, has joined Paramount+ in a high-profile transition. Parnell, who began working with Apple in 2020 after 16 years at Sony Pictures Television, played a significant role in shaping Apple’s original programming and immersive content .
Key Contributions at Apple TV+
During his tenure at Apple, Parnell worked on acclaimed projects such as For All Mankind, Bad Monkey, Neuromancer, and The Last Frontier. He also oversaw the platform’s first immersive series, Adventure, designed for Apple Vision Pro, along with the Bono documentary released in early 2025. Reporting directly to Apple’s Matt Cherniss, he became instrumental in expanding Apple’s storytelling portfolio .
Industry Experience
Before Apple, Parnell served as co-president of Sony Pictures Television. There, he guided the development of major shows including The Blacklist, Preacher, and Outlander. His long-standing reputation for steering successful drama and comedy productions is expected to continue at Paramount+, where insiders suggest he may explore projects tied to comic book franchises, possibly even a Star Trek adaptation .
What This Means for Apple TV+
Although his departure marks a leadership shift, industry experts believe Apple TV+ will remain steady. The streaming platform has a broad slate of ongoing projects and a strong creative team. Parnell’s exit is unlikely to cause immediate disruption, but it does highlight the ongoing competition among major streamers for top creative talent .
