Dame Donna Langley

Biography

Dame Donna Langley‑Shamshiri is a British film executive and one of the most prominent leaders in global entertainment. Born in London and raised on the Isle of Wight, she built her career in Los Angeles after moving there with no industry connections. Langley began in production executive roles and joined Universal in 2001, rising to chair Universal Pictures and later Universal Filmed Entertainment Group. Today she serves as chair of NBCUniversal Entertainment and Chief Content Officer, with oversight of film, television and streaming content across the company. She has played a key role in the success of major franchises like Fast & Furious, Jurassic World and Despicable Me, and backed acclaimed films including Get Out and Oppenheimer. Langley was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2020 for her services to film and entertainment, and in 2026 she is set to receive the BAFTA Fellowship, the Academy’s highest honour.