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[11/04/16 - 11:17 PM]
Development Update: Friday, November 4
Updates include: ABC gives "The Real O'Neals" three additional episodes; HBO pulls the plug on "Any Given Wednesday with Bill Simmons"; and NBC to take on importing "Pulling" from the U.K.

[05/08/15 - 11:41 PM]
Development Update: Friday, May 8 - Odds & Ends
Updates include: ABC, CBS pass on the bulk of their remaining pilots; Terence Paul Winter named showrunner of ABC's "Castle"; and E.J. Bonilla joins the cast of A&E's revival of "Unforgettable."

[03/24/15 - 06:02 PM]
2015 ABC Program Development Guide - Drama Series
ABC details its 13 drama pilots under consideration for next season.

[03/06/15 - 11:49 PM]
Development Update: Friday, March 6
Updates include: Mark-Paul Gosselaar cast in "People Are Talking" at NBC; Joy Bryant, Coby Bell among latest cast in ABC's "The Advocate"; and Alexandra Chando tapped for role in The CW's "Dead People."

[03/03/15 - 11:07 PM]
Development Update: Tuesday, March 3
Updates include: IFC cancels "Garfunkel & Oates"; Jon Foo set as lead in "Rush Hour" at CBS; and Jack Gore is the "Problem Child" at NBC.

[03/02/15 - 11:22 PM]
Development Update: Monday, March 2
Updates include: Jane Lynch is the "Angel from Hell" at CBS; Mireille Enos to lead "The Catch" at ABC; and Rob Kazinsky is set as FOX's "Frankenstein."

[02/06/15 - 11:39 PM]
Development Update: Friday, February 6
Updates include: NBC eyes "Law & Order" revival as limited series; Colin Hanks to lead "Life in Pieces" at CBS; and Thomas Haden Church, Molly Shannon both bound for HBO's "Divorce."

[01/30/15 - 11:56 PM]
Development Update: Friday, January 30
Updates include: TBS reportedly cancels "Ground Floor" after two seasons; Busy Philipps joins "Vice Principals" at HBO; and ABC gives pilot orders to 12 projects.

[08/28/14 - 11:27 PM]
Development Update: Thursday, August 28
Updates include: Paget Brewster cast in Amazon's "Down Dog"; "Ray Donovan" creator Ann Biderman to step down as showrunner; and Netflix acquires the streaming rights to NBC's "The Blacklist."







ADVOCATE, THE (ABC)
DEVELOPMENT HISTORY:
8/28/14 - 11/4/16
STATUS:
previously in development (2015-2016 season)
DEVELOPMENT STAGE:
ordered to pilot
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
network passed on 5/8/15
DESCRIPTION:
(from ABC's press release, March 2015) Francis "Frankie" Reese (Kim Raver) knows everyone in Hollywood and they know her. As a top talent agent, she thrives on pressure. But shortly after a death in the family, part of her face becomes paralyzed. Doctors tell her that it is stress related and should go away. One day at a coffee house, while she talks to her ex-husband about their teenage son, Tommy, a woman stares at her face. Frankie tells her, "It's called Bell's Palsy." But this woman, Ryan (Joy Bryant), tells her that she doesn't have Bell's Palsy and refers Frankie to a specialist who diagnoses the real problem - a brain tumor. After surgery and recovery Frankie returns to a warm welcome from her agency and clients. But somehow she is over it. Frankie wants to help others who are overlooked or misdiagnosed by the medical system. She starts her own medical advocacy business with the woman at the café who changed her life, Dr. Ryan Clarke. The two make a good team. Ryan is the brains of the operation and Frankie is the muscle. Ryan is a caring doctor and great researcher looking for what doctors may have overlooked. Frankie puts her agent skills to work convincing, charming, and negotiating with doctors, hospitals and insurance companies. Frankie is not above using Ryan's beauty to get a hospital bed or a lifesaving treatment. Their team also includes receptionist Brett, the immaculately dressed gatekeeper and money guy, Chris Holiday, who is involved with Ryan. Whether they are well paid or working pro bono, this team will find a way to get the right care and diagnosis for their clients. Inspired by the true story of writer Sheldon Turner's (Up in the Air, X-Men: First Class) former agent, Byrdie Lifson-Pompan, who will consult. Turner will executive produce with Jennifer Klein (Pearl Harbor).
PRINCIPAL CAST INFORMATION:
· Coby Bell as Chris Holiday
· Elliot Knight as Brett
· Freddie Thorp as Tommy Reese
· Joy Bryant as Ryan Clarke
· Kim Raver as Francis "Frankie" Reese
CREW INFORMATION:
· Byrdie Lifson-Pompan as CP
· Jennifer Klein as EP
· Michael M. Robin as DIR (Pilot)
· Sheldon Turner as CRTR/EP
· Valerie Ulene as CP
GENRE(S):
· drama
STUDIO INFORMATION:
· Vendetta Productions
· Warner Bros. Television