Matt Thunell

Matthew Thunell is an American television producer and studio executive serving as President of Paramount Television Studios since August 2025. He has previously held positions at television networks and streaming services Sony Pictures Television, The CW, Netflix and Skydance Television.

Early life Thunell is from Columbia, South Carolina and attended Dreher High School.

Thunell attended Yale University and graduated cum laude. At Yale, Thunell was a competitive swimmer and tour manager of The Whiffenpoofs, Yale's a cappella group.

The CW Network In 2012, Thunell was hired as director of scripted development at American broadcast network, The CW. He then held the role of vice president of overall deals and later was vice president of original series. He and his team were responsible for the television series, miniseries and anthologies Stranger Things, The Queen's Gambit, Black Mirror and House of Cards. The Duffer Brothers credited Thunell as an early supporter of their science fiction horror series, Stranger Things. Thunell helped found Netflix's emerging director program. and the upcoming Neuromancer and 12 12 12. The revival merged Skydance Television with MTV Entertainment Studios, Nickelodeon live-action television and Awesomeness. That same month, Thunell was named as president of the new entity, where his role was to oversee streaming production and television series. Under Thunell, Paramount Television Studios television shows included Landman, Dexter: Resurrection and Emily in Paris. and a television production deal with actress Issa Rae. In 2026, Thunell entered production deals for Paramount Television Studios with writer Liz Tigelaar; Yellowjackets creators Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson; and Jessica Biel's and Michelle Purple's production company, Iron Ocean.

Filmography Producer

Stranger Things (2016) 13 Reasons Why (2017) Reacher (2023) The Big Door Prize (2024) Cross (2024) FUBAR (2025) The Runarounds (2025) One Night in Idaho: The College Murders (2025) Foundation (2025) Neuromancer (TBA) 12 12 12 (TBA) Neagley (TBA)