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[01/26/24 - 11:25 PM]
Development Update: Week of January 22-26
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC)

LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- The latest development news, culled from recent wire reports:

Looking to keep track of all the various projects in development? Click here to visit our signature "Devwatch" section. There visitors can view our listings by network, genre, studio and even development stage (ordered to pilot, cast-contingent, script, etc.). It's updated every day!


AMERICAN SPORTS STORY (FX) - Jaylen Barron is the latest addition to the anthology series as Shayanna Jenkins, "Hernandez's fiancée and mother of their young daughter born in 2012, the same year they became engaged. The pair met as high school students in Connecticut and she stood by him amid all his legal issues including his arrest and conviction for the murder of Odin Lloyd, who at the time of the crime was dating Jenkins's sister, Shaneah Jenkins." (Deadline.com, 1/23)
BEFORE (Apple TV+) - The Billy Crystal-led 10-episode limited series has cast Jacobi Jupe as Noah, "a troubled foster child, who seems to have a haunting connection to Eli's past"; with Maria Dizzia as Barbara, "Eli's daughter"; Ava Lalezarzadeh as Cleo, "a street and booksmart colleague of Eli's"; and Hope Davis recurring as Dr. Jane, "a respected Chief of Pediatric Neurology." (Deadline.com, 1/24)
CHICAGO MED (NBC) - Sophia Ali is slated to recur on the new season as Zola Ahmad: "The new Emergency Department resident often acts impulsively in ways the hospital doesn't approve of in order to help her patients." (TVLine.com, 1/22)
CO-DEPENDENTS (NBC, New!) - Liz Astrof has sold a multi-camera comedy to the network, inspired by her relationship with her brother, Jeff Astrof: "Set in a middle-class town on Long Island, Co-Dependents follows a 30-something brother and sister have gotten older but haven't really grown up. Childhood rituals and their commitment to each other always take first place over spouses, jobs and kids." Dana Honor will also executive produce via her Universal Television-based Defining Eve Productions. (Deadline.com, 1/23)
CUSTOM OF THE COUNTRY, THE (Apple TV+) - Sofia Coppola has detailed why her adaptation of the Edith Wharton classic novel didn't move forward at the streamer, indicating "executives at the streamer seemed not to understand the female protagonist, calling her 'unlikeable.'" Florence Pugh would have toplined the five-part limited series as Undine Spragg, "a Midwesterner desperately looking to infiltrate New York City's high society during the Gilded Age." It was originally announced in 2020. (Deadline.com, 1/22)
DAILY SHOW, THE (Comedy Central) - Jon Stewart will return to host the late-night series on Monday nights through the 2024 election cycle beginning February 12. Correspondents Desi Lydic, Michael Kosta, Ronny Chieng and Jordan Klepper will then host the other nights on a rotating basis. Stewart nevertheless will executive produce all episodes. (Deadline.com, 1/24)
DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN (Disney+) - Wilson Bethel is set to reprise his "Marvel's Daredevil" role of Benjamin Poindexter (a.k.a. Bullseye) in at least three episodes of the revival series. Vincent D'Onofrio and Jon Bernthal are also due back. (Deadline.com, 1/23)
DOCTOR WHO (Disney+) - Millie Gibson is reportedly exiting the series after one season as Doctor Who's (Ncuti Gatwa) companion with Varada Sethu to take over in Gatwa's second season. (Deadline.com, 1/20)
ELSBETH (CBS) - Jane Krakowski, Linda Lavin, Retta and Blair Underwood will all drop by the freshman drama. Krakowski will play Joann, "a high-powered Manhattan real estate broker with huge clients and even bigger secrets"; with Linda Lavin as Gloria, "who is described as the co-op board president from hell"; Retta as Margo, "the top matchmaker to New York's rich and impossible to please"; and Underwood as "the father and coach of a rising tennis star, so dedicated to his son's career that he makes a murderous mistake." (Variety.com, 1/26)
ÉTOILE (Amazon) - "Gilmore Girls" alumnus Yanic Truesdale will recur on Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino's latest series as Raphael, "the right-hand to Genevieve (Charlotte Gainsbourg) who heads the Parisian ballet company." (Deadline.com, 1/22)
EXTRA (Syndication) - The newsmagazine has been renewed by the Fox Televisions Stations group for a 31st season this fall. (Deadline.com, 1/22)
FLIP SIDE, THE (Syndication, New!) - Jaleel White has been tapped to host a new syndicated game show due this fall from CBS Media Ventures: "The easy to play-along game show pits two teams of players against each other to test them on how they think two different groups of people feel about the same issue. Teams choose from multiple choice answers, and whoever has the best intutition on human behavior will find themselves richer." No other auspices were given. (Deadline.com, 1/22)
KIDS BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP (Food Network) - Valerie Bertinelli took to social media with the news she's been cut from the series after 12 seasons. (@wolfiesmom, 1/21)
LAST OF US, THE (HBO) - Mark Mylod, Nina Lopez-Corrado, Stephen Williams and Kate Herron will join Peter Hoar, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann are directors on the show's second season. (Deadline.com, 1/25)
MALICE (Amazon, New!) - David Duchovny, Jack Whitehall, and Carice van Houten are attached to star in a new psychological thriller series at the streamer which "will follow a young man (Whitehall) who seeks to infiltrate the world of a wealthy family, with Duchovny and van Houten playing the heads of that family." James Wood is behind the project, a co-production between Expectation Entertainment and Tailspin Films. No other auspices were given. (Variety.com, 1/24)
MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN (Paramount+) - Michael Beach's Kareem Moore has been upped to regular for the series' third season while Nichole Galicia and Necar Zadegan will also both return as Rebecca and Evelyn Foley. Additionally, Richard Brake will recur as Merle Callahan, "one of the Aryan shot callers in Anchor Bay who is currently serving a life-sentence"; with Denny Love as Kevin Jackson, "a rookie prison guard"; and Paula Malcomson as Anna Fletcher, "a woman from Kingstown with a request for Mike." (Deadline.com, 1/24)
NIGHT COURT (NBC) - Kunal Nayyar will visit fellow "The Big Bang Theory" alum Melissa Rauch on the show's February 6 as "world-renowned fashion designer Martini Toddwallis, who is facing a bad case of designer's block. But he finds inspiration and maybe even a new muse when he arrives at Night Court." (TVLine.com, 1/24)
PENGUIN, THE (Max) - Jared Abrahamson has scored a recurring role on "The Batman" TV series spin-off as a yet-to-be-detailed character. (Deadline.com, 1/26)
PORN AND ICE CREAM (Amazon) - A second season of the Navajo Films series is awaiting release. (Variety.com, 1/23)
RANSOM CANYON (Netflix) - Tatanka Means will recur on the newcomer as Jake Longbow, "Staten's (Josh Duhamel) trusted ranch manager and confidant. Accustomed to Staten's gruff exterior and reading his moods, the two have a decades-long friendship that will be tested. Not afraid to question orders, Jake provides a moral central on the Double K Ranch, eventually bringing the young Lucas Russell (Garrett Wareing) on board." (Deadline.com, 1/26)
RECRUIT, THE (Netflix) - The show's sophomore run was tapped the follow to recur: James Purefoy as Olive Bonner-Jones, "a charming, rich British businessman who lives in a world between legal and illegal"; Brooke Smith as Marcy Potter, "a seasoned and serious CIA Counter Espionage Group officer leading a crucial investigation"; Devika Bhise as Juno Marsh, "an eager CIA Counter Espionage Group officer whose buttoned-up persona masks a bit of a wild side"; Felix Solis as Tom Wallace, "a senior diplomat in the State Department tasked with bringing American hostages home, he will talk to anyone to get our people back - even the worst of America's enemies."; Young-Ah Kim as Grace, "a savvy senior intelligence officer and single mother who is under increasing pressure to discover what the CIA is up to in her country"; Do Hyun Shin as Yoo Jin Lee, "a free-spirited young woman with a childhood connection to Owen"; Sanghee Lee as Nan Hee, "a passionate and nurturing Korean aide worker with a sly sense of humor"; Omar Maskati as Jae King, "a jet-setting rich kid with a charming and affable personality"; and Alana Hawley Purvis as Amanda Fern, "a stern and by-the-book CIA Station Chief in Seoul who's resistant to taking any instruction from a CIA operative." (Deadline.com, 1/25)
SEX AND THE CITY (HBO) - Netflix is set to license all six seasons of the iconic series from Warner Bros. Discovery beginning as early as April. (Deadline.com, 1/24)
SWAT (CBS) - Anna Enger Ritch's Zoe Powell has been promoted to series regular for the upcoming final season. (TVLine.com, 1/25)
TELL ME LIES (Hulu) - Tom Ellis has joined the cast of the new season as Oliver, "a professor at Baird College whose tough love attitude makes him an intimidating presence that isn't appreciated by all students. He is married to Lucy's professor Marianne (Gabriella Pession), but as one of the main characters begins seeking his approval, his influence will have chaotic repercussions." In real life, Ellis is married to showrunner Meaghan Oppenheimer. (Deadline.com, 1/24)
TEMPTATION ISLAND (USA Network) - Netflix has snagged the rights to make new episodes of the series from Banijay Studios North America. The format originally aired on FOX from 2001-2003 before being revived by USA for five seasons beginning in 2018. The streamer's pact won't include the rights to the previously produced episodes. (Vulture.com, 1/26)
TERMINAL LIST: DARK WOLF (Amazon) - Tom Hopper has been cast in the prequel series as Raife Hastings, "a hunter, protector, guardian and Navy SEAL." (Variety.com, 1/26)
TRUE CRIME NEWS (Syndication, New!) - Ana Garcia is attached to front a new syndicated crime series due this fall on the Fox Televisions Stations group that "will cover breaking crime news and updates on crime stories." Warner Bros. Unscripted Television and Telepictures are producing. (Deadline.com, 1/22)
UNTITLED FIRE COUNTRY SPIN-OFF PROJECT (CBS) - Morena Baccarin has been tapped as the lead of the proposed spin-off series, Mickey, "a Sheriff's Deputy for fifteen years who knows every corner of Edgewater... and every one of its inhabitants. This is her town and she's fiercely protective of it." She'll appear in an upcoming episode with an option to become a regular on the spin-off, which would have its own development process instead of a backdoor pilot. (Deadline.com, 1/23)
UNTITLED LUDACRIS PROJECT (BET+, New!) - Noah Gardenswartz is spearheading a half-hour dramedy at the streamer inspired by the life of the rapper-actor Chris "Ludacris" Bridges and his "experience coming up in the competitive music scene in Atlanta as DJ Chris Lova Lova. The series follows the misadventures of a sharply drawn ensemble who are willing to do anything and everything to bolster ratings at their hip hop radio station." Gardenswartz and Ludacris will also executive produce alongside Chaka Zulu, Larry Wilmore, Malcolm D. Lee, Dominique Telson, Jeff Dixon, Josh Bratman and David Blackman for Universal Television, Disturbing Tha Peace, Blackmaled Productions and Polygram Entertainment. (THR.com, 1/22)
UNTITLED MRBEAST PROJECT (Amazon, New!) - YouTube personality Jimmy Donaldson (a.k.a. MrBeast) is on track to bring an unscripted competition series to Amazon Studios. No other details however were given about the project. (Deadline.com, 1/22)
VIDA (Starz) - Universal Content Productions has extended its overall deal with Tanya Saracho where she'll continue to develop new series projects via her Ojalá banner. Among them: "The Wild Wild," "inspired by the lives of Annie Oakley, America's most famous sharpshooter, and the renowned trick-rider Señorita Rosalie, who were both stars of the famed Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show." No network was indicated. (Deadline.com, 1/22)
WOLF PACK (Paramount+) - The Sarah Michelle Gellar-led drama will not return for a second season. (Deadline.com, 1/25)





  [november 2024]  
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· AMERICAN SPORTS STORY (FX)
· BEAST GAMES (AMAZON)
· BEFORE (APPLE TV PLUS)
· CHICAGO MED (NBC)
· CO-DEPENDENTS (NBC)
· CUSTOM OF THE COUNTRY, THE (APPLE TV PLUS)
· DAILY SHOW, THE (COMEDY CENTRAL)
· DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN (DISNEY PLUS)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· DOCTOR WHO (DISNEY PLUS)
· ELSBETH (CBS)
· ÉTOILE (AMAZON)
· EXTRA (SYNDICATION)
· FIRE COUNTRY (CBS)
· FLIP SIDE, THE (SYNDICATION)
· KIDS BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP (FOOD)
· LAST OF US, THE (HBO)
· MALICE (AMAZON)
· MARVEL'S DAREDEVIL (NETFLIX)
· MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN (PARAMOUNT PLUS)
· NIGHT COURT (NBC)
· PENGUIN, THE (HBO)
· PORN AND ICE CREAM (AMAZON)
· RANSOM CANYON (NETFLIX)
· RECRUIT, THE (NETFLIX)
· SEX AND THE CITY (HBO)
· SHERIFF COUNTRY (CBS)
· SWAT (CBS)
· TELL ME LIES (HULU)
· TEMPTATION ISLAND (USA)
· TERMINAL LIST, THE: DARK WOLF (AMAZON)
· TRUE CRIME NEWS (SYNDICATION)
· UNTITLED LUDACRIS PROJECT (BET PLUS)
· VIDA (STARZ)
· WOLF PACK (PARAMOUNT PLUS)





[11/28/24 - 01:01 AM]
Video: Watch the Spectacular and Intense Trailer for Norwegian Disaster Series "La Palma"
A Norwegian family vacationing on La Palma faces disaster when a young researcher discovers alarming signs of an imminent volcanic eruption.

[11/27/24 - 07:01 PM]
Chinese-Language Period Drama "Perfect Match" to Launch Exclusively and Globally on Netflix
The story follows the five beautiful daughters of the Li family, whose vivacious nature, inherited from their mother, Madame Li, earned them the notorious nickname "The Six Tigers of the Li Family."

[11/27/24 - 05:15 PM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Season 33 Finale Delivers Largest Audience in Over Four Years
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[11/27/24 - 10:04 AM]
Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren to Lead New Guy Ritchie Project for Paramount+ with Showtime
The project is an electrifying, new global crime series centered around two warring families based in London whose enterprises stretch all corners of the globe and the fiercely loyal "fixer" charged with protecting one of them at all costs.

[11/27/24 - 08:00 AM]
"ChiefsAholic: A Wolf in Chiefs Clothing" Premieres Exclusively on Prime Video on December 24
The true-crime documentary about Kansas City Chiefs superfan and serial bank robber Xaviar Babudar, features unprecedented interview footage with Babudar following his initial arrest, prior to him removing his ankle monitor and going on the run.

[11/27/24 - 07:09 AM]
Discovery Channel December Programming Highlights
This December, new Episodes of "Contraband: Seized at the Airport," "Expedition Files," "Game Changers," "Gold Rush," "Homestead Rescue," "The Last Woodsmen," "Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch," and "Mystery of the Abandoned" premiere on Discovery Channel.

[11/27/24 - 05:59 AM]
Video: Check Out the Official Teaser Trailer for New Medical Mystery Drama "Watson," Starring Morris Chestnut
A 60-second version of the trailer will air during the Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions NFL Thanksgiving game Thursday, November 28, on CBS, with the full version available online.

[11/27/24 - 03:09 AM]
Sneak Peek at the Brand New, Psychological Crime Thriller, "The Crow Girl," Coming Soon to Paramount+ UK
The series is produced by Buccaneer Media and distributed by ITV Studios.

[11/27/24 - 02:01 AM]
Video: First Look Revealed for Third Explosive Instalment of Sky Original "Gangs of London", Coming 2025
As chaos erupts in London after a spiked shipment of cocaine kills hundreds, fan-favourite characters collide with new faces bound by blood ties, sparking brutal power struggles, unexpected alliances, and fierce rivalries.

[11/26/24 - 05:01 PM]
"The Summer Hikaru Died" Set to Bring Eerie Anime Thrills to Netflix
A chilling blend of slice of life and the supernatural, Yoshiki's life is thrown upside down when his best friend Hikaru is replaced by "something" that looks and acts just like him.

[11/26/24 - 04:55 PM]
"Abbott Elementary" Season 4 Return Skyrockets +321% in Total Viewers and +846% in Adults 18-49 Over Initial Live+Same Day Audience
The season four premiere of "Abbott Elementary" stands as the top multiplatform telecast in both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49 since the show's post-Oscars episode (3/10/24).

[11/26/24 - 03:01 PM]
Video: New Games, New Stakes - "Squid Game" Season 2 Main Trailer and Key Art "Round and Round" Unveiled
With its premiere just around the corner on December 26, the trailer delivers an electrifying glimpse into the deadly games and gripping character dynamics that await fans worldwide.

[11/26/24 - 02:34 PM]
Video: Paramount+ with Showtime Debuts Official Trailer for Showtime's "Dexter: Original Sin"
The series premieres Friday, December 13 on streaming and on demand for Paramount+ subscribers with the Paramount+ with Showtime plan, before making its on-air US debut on Sunday, December 15 at 10pm ET/PT.

[11/26/24 - 01:15 PM]
ABC News' "Nightline" Ranks No. 1 in Total Viewers, Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49 vs. CBS' "After Midnight" and NBC's "Late Night with Seth Meyers"
"Nightline" posted double-digit gains week to week across the board, hitting a 6-week high in overall viewers and 7-week highs in both key Adult demos.

[11/26/24 - 12:31 PM]
Netflix Orders Limited-Series Adaptation of Harlan Coben's "I Will Find You"
An innocent father serving life for the murder of his own son receives evidence that his child may still be alive - and must break out of prison to find out the truth.