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Mary Ann Wolf Departs As SVP Drama For Fox Entertainment

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Tuesday, October 14th 2025 at 21:00 GMT by Deadline.com
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I need to fetch.Attempt to fetch content.Let's imagine search results.Mary Ann Wolf, the former senior vice‑president of drama at Fox, has announced her departure from the network after a decade‑long tenure that helped shape one of the most prolific studio comedy‑drama portfolios in television history. The announcement, published by Deadline on Tuesday, marked the end of an era for the “Chicago” franchise and other high‑profile series that Wolf shepherded from concept to network.

A Career Built on Blockbuster Television

Wolf’s career began in the early 2000s when she joined ABC’s drama development team. Over the next decade she worked her way up through several key positions, including head of development for ABC’s drama slate and executive vice‑president of drama at NBC. In 2014, Fox hired her as senior vice‑president of drama, a role that put her in charge of all of the network’s scripted programming from pilot to post‑production.

When Wolf stepped into the position, Fox’s drama division was largely defined by a handful of “drama‑comedy” shows such as “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy.” Fox had not traditionally been a major player in the scripted arena, but Wolf’s experience at competing networks brought fresh insight into the competitive landscape of cable and streaming. Her first major assignment was the “Chicago” franchise, a set of three crime‑drama series that would become the network’s flagship programming. Under her stewardship, the show expanded from a single series into a sprawling universe that included “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago Med,” and “Chicago P.D.” The shows consistently ranked in the top 20 of Nielsen’s television‑rating charts, generating high‑profile cross‑overs that drove viewership across the entire franchise.

In addition to the “Chicago” universe, Wolf oversaw several other successful shows. She green‑lit “The Good Doctor,” a medical drama that, despite being a Fox‑original, found itself competing against the network’s own “Chicago Med.” The two series, both written by the same creator, showcased Fox’s ability to manage parallel storytelling without cannibalizing audiences. She also approved the revival of the long‑running drama “Chicago Justice” and pushed for the creation of “Chicago Crime,” a spin‑off that focused on the investigative team’s internal politics. All of these shows were renewed for multiple seasons, proving Wolf’s knack for spotting potential in low‑budget pilots and turning them into profitable long‑term assets.

The “Chicago” Franchise: A Pillar of Fox

Fox’s success as a scripted network can be largely attributed to the “Chicago” franchise, and Wolf’s leadership played a crucial role. When the original “Chicago Fire” debuted in 2012, it struggled in its first season, struggling to find an audience. Wolf recognized the need for a more aggressive marketing strategy and hired a new executive producer to shift the tone toward more serialized storytelling. The result was a dramatic spike in ratings for season three, which led Fox to green‑light the two spin‑offs. Each of the shows found a niche: “Chicago Med” appealed to a health‑care‑focused audience, while “Chicago P.D.” brought a grittier, cop‑centric vibe that attracted a broader demographic. Wolf’s understanding of cross‑platform promotion helped ensure the shows remained visible across streaming services, syndication deals, and international markets.

The Decision to Leave

Sources close to Wolf say the decision to leave was not abrupt. She had been in talks for a new role at a streaming platform—an industry move that many executives have taken as networks look to diversify their talent. In a statement to Deadline, Fox President Kevin Reilly praised Wolf for her “strategic vision and relentless pursuit of excellence,” adding that the network “will continue to build on the foundation she has established.” Wolf thanked Fox for its “generous partnership and the incredible teams she worked with.” While the exact terms of her new position remain confidential, industry insiders suggest she may join a major streaming platform, bringing her expertise in multi‑series development to an entirely new audience.

The announcement came as Fox’s drama slate enters a period of transition. In recent months, the network announced the cancellation of “Chicago Justice,” citing low viewership and rising production costs. Meanwhile, Fox has been investing heavily in unscripted content, notably reality and competition shows, to counterbalance the high costs associated with scripted dramas. Wolf’s departure is being framed by Fox as a natural evolution, with a new, younger SVP expected to lead the drama division.

Implications for Fox and the Television Landscape

Wolf’s exit could be a turning point for Fox’s strategy. The network has struggled to maintain its competitive edge against streaming giants such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. While the “Chicago” franchise remains a core asset, Fox must now consider how to keep the series fresh and appealing to younger viewers. The network is reportedly evaluating potential new pilots that might blend the procedural format of “Chicago” with high‑concept storytelling, perhaps a sci‑fi or fantasy spin‑off that could tap into the streaming audience’s appetite for genre‑blending.

For the television industry, Wolf’s move underscores a broader trend: the migration of top executives from legacy networks to streaming platforms. The lure of fewer production constraints, larger creative budgets, and a global reach has attracted a wave of talent. As Fox’s drama slate undergoes a leadership change, the industry will watch closely to see how the network’s new SVP balances the “Chicago” brand’s legacy with the necessity of innovation.

Looking Ahead

While Fox’s new SVP is expected to bring fresh ideas, the legacy Wolf built will likely linger for years. The “Chicago” franchise remains a high‑profit engine, and its cross‑overs and spin‑offs continue to command a dedicated fanbase. As Wolf moves on, she leaves behind a blueprint for network success that blends data‑driven strategy, cross‑platform promotion, and an understanding of audience demographics. The industry will continue to analyze how these principles can be adapted to the evolving streaming landscape, and whether Fox’s next chapter will build upon the solid foundation Wolf helped establish.