Shaftesbury is an award-winning creator and producer of original content for television, film, and digital.

Shaftesbury is an award-winning creator and producer of original content, founded by Christina Jennings, Chairman and President. For more than three decades, the company has been at the forefront of Canadian screen-based storytelling, building internationally successful series and franchises that reach audiences worldwide. Shaftesbury’s productions include the globally acclaimed drama Murdoch Mysteries, now in its 20th season, and Hudson & Rex, both airing in over 120 countries. One of Canada’s longest-running dramas, Murdoch Mysteries has generated more than $1 billion in economic output and contributed over $766 million to Canada’s GDP. The series has expanded into new formats and audience experiences, including live symphony performances, educational initiatives, immersive fan activations, and the digital companion series Macy Murdoch, which extends the Murdoch Mysteries universe onto Roblox. Shaftesbury’s portfolio spans scripted drama, comedy, and genre programming, including the horror anthology Slasher and its latest instalment Hell Motel, the international thriller Departure which went to #1 on Netflix in 40 countries, the Irish-Canadian co-production SisterS, and Irish Blood, Acorn TV’s highest-rated series. Current projects include the dark crime drama The Borderline, now streaming on Crave, the upcoming comedy series Slo Pitch, and Granville Girls, a newly announced Netflix series.

Leadership Team

A visionary producer with a track record for delivering award-winning scripted content for audiences around the world, Christina Jennings is founder, chairman and CEO of Shaftesbury, a content company known for innovative storytelling and building successful brands.

Christina Jennings
Chairman & President

As Shaftesbury’s SVP of Business & Legal Affairs, Garvie has overseen negotiation and implementation of all development, financing, sales and recoupment arrangements since 1994. Garvie is the Chair of the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) and also sits on the FilmOntario Board.

Scott Garvie
EVP, Business & Legal Affairs

With over 15 years of experience in the industry, her role as SVP, Finance & Operations, Phillips is responsible for managing Shaftesbury through all aspects of corporate and production finance as well as managing all development and distribution finance and reporting.

Hayley Phillips
SVP, Finance & Operations

With over 12 years of experience in the film and television industry, Goldman has experience with dramatic, documentary and reality/lifestyle programming, as well as with domestic production, interprovincial and international co-productions. Prior to joining Shaftesbury, Goldman worked at CBC and Entertainment One and currently sits on the CMPA’s Industrial Relations Committee.

Elysse Goldman
SVP, Business & Legal Affairs
With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Jay Bennett, SVP, Franchise Strategy & Innovation, is responsible for expanding the reach and value of Shaftesbury’s IP through strategic brand development, audience growth, cross-platform extensions, licensing, live experiences, games, digital content, and new models of engagement.
His award-winning work spans mediums, platforms, and genres, and is defined by his ability to connect story, audience, technology, and business opportunity – helping transform successful content into lasting franchises with global reach.
Jay Bennett
SVP, Franchise Strategy & Innovation

Diang Iu has worked in a number of roles at Shaftesbury across production affairs, finance, and scripted drama development before settling in his current position as VP, Content Production.

Diang Iu
VP, Content Production

Christina Fon is an Emmy-nominated executive with a wealth of experience and a remarkable career. Christina previously served as  Executive Producer on Crave/APTN Original series, Little Bird, currently on PBS. Christina’s contributions have earned her several accolades, including the esteemed Sundance and Peabody Awards and multiple Canadian Screen Awards. This success can be attributed to the glowing reputation that Christina has built with her investment partners, her ability to source winning IPs, maintain strong stakeholder relations and close successful deals.

Christina Fon
VP, Strategic Partnerships & Scripted Content

A seasoned producer with a career spanning both Canadian and American productions including film, primetime drama and teen programming, Shauna has worked as a production manager on notable projects including The Marriage Fool, Eloise at the Plaza and The Comey Rule. She was producer on In the Tall Grass, Code 8: Part II and the Emmy Award®-winning series Dark Oracle. Shauna has been a key part of Shaftesbury’s production family for over 20 years from the very first Murdoch movie to most recently on Underbelly for Crave.

Shauna Jamison
VP, Television Production

Michelle Simon (CPA, CA) joined Shaftesbury’s finance team in 2023 as interim VP, Finance. She oversaw production accounting during prep stages for all new projects along with performing corporate finance and treasury duties. In 2024 she become VP, Corporate Finance. Before Shaftesbury, Michelle was VP, Royalties at Alliance Films where she oversaw third-party royalty and participation reporting, and managed royalty budgets and external audits. When eOne acquired Alliance Films in 2013, Michelle oversaw the efficient transition of duties and transfer of proprietary knowledge. Prior to this, she managed artist and copyright royalties, and disbursements at Sony Music (Canada).

Michelle Simon
VP, Corporate Finance

Michelle Grys joined Shaftesbury in 2010 as part of the Corporate Finance team. Michelle managed post-production accounting for TV series, features and digital series. In 2013, she was named Manager, Production Accounting and was responsible for overseeing accounting during prep stages for all new projects as well as during post-production to prepare for audit and filing of tax credits. In 2018, she became Corporate Controller, supporting overall company strategies and objectives. As VP, Finance, she oversees and participates in financial reporting activities corporately and across all productions as Shaftesbury continues to build it’s global presence.

Michelle Grys
VP, Production Finance

With 20 + years working in the television industry, Iain has overseen the publicity for dozens of series, from both from the broadcaster and production ends. Prior to Shaftesbury, Iain worked at CTV leading publicity campaigns for American/Canadian Idol, LIVE With Regis & Kelly, The View, The Juno Awards and The Oscars. At Epitome/WildBrain, he worked on 388 episodes of Degrassi and managed all talent across 11 seasons of the franchise.

Iain Christiansen
VP, Marketing & Communications

With over 16 years as a production executive at Corus Entertainment, Alexander oversaw the development and production of numerous scripted series, including Geek Girl, Family Law, Hardy Boys and Private Eyes. Prior to becoming a broadcaster, she was an award-winning producer and development executive on shows including Little Mosque on the Prairie. A proud alumni and current mentor at the Canadian Film Centre, Alexander is a member of the WGC, the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, and WIFT-T, where she served a 4-year term on the Board of Directors.

Susan Alexander
Senior Director, Creative

Michael Rudolph is an HR professional who specializes in full-cycle recruitment, employee relations, performance management, and compensation design. He has worked for such organizations as the Toronto International Film Festival and MaRS Discovery District and has been on the board of directors for Work in Culture and the Inside Out Film Festival. He is a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) through the Human Resource Professional Association and a Certified Professional Coach through the Co-Active Training Institute with a focus on career and leadership coaching.

Michael Rudolph
Director, Human Resources and Operations
Board of Directors

A visionary producer with a track record for delivering award-winning scripted content for audiences around the world, Christina Jennings is founder, chairman and CEO of Shaftesbury, a content company known for innovative storytelling and building successful brands.

Christina Jennings
Chairwoman & CEO

As Shaftesbury’s SVP of Business & Legal Affairs, Scott Garvie has overseen negotiation and implementation of all development, financing, sales and recoupment arrangements since 1994

Scott Garvie
SVP, Business & Legal Affairs

Former head of the Entertainment Department, Goodmans LLP, Chairman Westwood Creative Artists, Canada’s largest literary agency and Executive Producer

Michael Levine
Rob Fox
EVP, Production - AMC Studios

As Executive Vice President of Original Programming for AMC Networks and AMC Studios, Davis oversees the company’s scripted and unscripted programming teams responsible for celebrated series across premium targeted streaming bundle AMC+; linear networks AMC, BBC America, IFC and SundanceTV; and AMC Studios, the company’s in-house studio, production and distribution operation behind acclaimed and fan-favorite original franchises including The Walking Dead Universe and the Anne Rice Immortal Universe.

Benjamin Davis
Executive Vice President, Original Programming AMC Networks & AMC Studios