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[08/22/25 - 11:06 PM]
Development Update: Week of August 18-22
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC) |
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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!
ADVOCATE, THE (ABC, New!) - Tawnya Bhattacharya and Ali Laventhol have sold a legal drama to the Alphabet: "The Advocate is a character-driven legal procedural centered around a brilliant, ruthless attorney who abruptly walks away from her high-powered job to open a small firm after a traumatic brain injury radically alters her personality." Isaac Aptaker, Elizabeth Berger, and Scott Morgan of The Walk-Up Company will also executive produce for 20th Television. (Deadline.com, 8/22)
BLADE RUNNER 2099 (Amazon) - The long-in-the-works "limited series followup to the 2017 movie sequel Blade Runner 2049" is now targeted for a 2026 launch. (Deadline.com, 8/22)
COLIN KAEPERNICK DOCUMENTARY SERIES (ESPN) - Spike Lee's planned documentary series on ex-NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been shuttered by the network. "ESPN, Colin Kaepernick and Spike Lee have collectively decided to no longer proceed with this project as a result of certain creative differences," ESPN said in a statement. "Despite not reaching finality, we appreciate all the hard work and collaboration that went into this film." (Deadline.com, 8/18)
DEXTER: ORIGINAL SIN/DEXTER: RESURRECTION (Showtime) - The "Dexter" prequel series' second season is no longer moving forward; while a writers' room for a proposed second season of the sequel series is set to open imminently. (Variety.com, 8/22)
FAITHFUL, THE (FOX) - The biblical limited series has cast Alexa Davalos as Rebekah, "bold, compassionate, and courageous, she's tested in every imaginable way after a conversation with God sets her on an irreversible path"; Tom Mison as Isaac, "burdened by an inheritance he didn't ask for and haunted by a faith he both fears and yearns to understand"; Tom Payne as Jacob, "a survivor and a strategist who, mired by his position as the second-born son, learns to rely on cunning and determination for the blessing he seeks"; and Ben Robson as Esau, "a hunter and a warrior who carries the weight of expectation placed on the firstborn son." (Deadline.com, 8/21)
GOLDEN BACHELOR, THE (ABC) - Former franchise staple Jason Ehrlich has joined the spin-off as a consulting producer. (Deadline.com, 8/18)
HARRY POTTER LIVE-ACTION SERIES (HBO) - The new adaptation has cast Tristan Harland as Fred Weasley, Gabriel Harland as George Weasley, Ruari Spooner as Percy Weasley; and Gracie Cochrane as Ginny Weasley. (Deadline.com, 8/19)
JOSEPH OF EGYPT (Amazon) - Omid Abtahi will recur on the eight-episode biblical drama as Ankuh. (Deadline.com, 8/20)
KATABASIS (Amazon, New!) - Angela Kang is spearheading a small screen take on R.F. Kuang's new fantasy novel for Amazon MGM Studios: "Kuang's "Katabasis" is a fantastical academic satire that follows Alice Law, a graduate student studying Magick at Cambridge University, as she descends into the underworld to retrieve her deceased advisor, Professor Grimes, in order to get his recommendation to secure her future after graduation. Alice's academic rival, Peter Murdoch, decides to join her, and together they embark on a journey through the courts of Hell in search of Grimes." Kang, Kuang, Kang & Co.'s Mandy Safavi, Ben Smith, and Jeffrey Weiner are the executive producers; with Adam Docksey as a co-executive producer for Captivate Entertainment. (Variety.com, 8/20)
NCIS (CBS) - Nancy Travis will drop by the show's two-part season premiere as Navy Vice Admiral Harriet Parker, "the sister of Gary Cole's Special Agent Alden Parker. When Alden and Harriet are reunited as adults, in the wake of their father Roman's recent murder, fans will quickly discover that their childhood dynamic is still alive and well. But while their sniping might make for good TV, it's also sure to complicate their respective jobs." (TVLine.com, 8/21)
PENGUIN, THE (HBO) - Creator Lauren LeFranc has signed a two-year overall deal with HBO and HBO Max. There she'll develop series projects via her newly launched banner, Acid and Tender Productions. (Variety.com, 8/19)
PERFECT COUPLE, THE (Netflix) - Joanna Calo has exited the proposed second season as showrunner. (Deadline.com, 8/19)
PITT, THE (HBO Max) - Zack Morris will recur on the second season as Jackson Davis, "a patient brought to the ED after an uncontrollable outburst in the college library." (Deadline.com, 8/21)
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (Netflix) - The Jane Austen adaptation has added Jasmine Blackborow as Charlotte Lucas, "the closest friend of lead character Elizabeth Bennet, played by Emma Corrin." (Deadline.com, 8/18)
SHARDS, THE (FX) - Hayes Warner has been cast in the Bret Easton Ellis adaptation as Debbie Shaffer, "a rich prep school girl with the right connects." (Deadline.com, 8/22)
SHIFTING GEARS (ABC) - "Home Improvement" alums Patricia Richardson, Richard Karn, and Debbe Dunning will reunite with Tim Allen on the show's season premiere. (Deadline.com, 8/19)
STRANGER THINGS (Netflix) - Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer have signed "a wide-ranging four-year, exclusive deal for feature films, television, and streaming projects" with Paramount Skydance Corporation. The pact will start at the end of their current Netflix deal in April 2026. The duo, via their Upside Down Pictures banner, however will continue to oversee their active projects at the streamer. (Deadline.com, 8/19)
SUMMER OF SONGBIRDS, THE (Hulu, New!) - Brennan Peters is looking to bring Kristy Woodson Harvey's novel to the small screen at the streamer: "The Summer of Songbirds is a story about the power of forged family - the family we choose, the family we fight to keep, again and again. It revolves around three girlfriends and their unbreakable bond forged in their childhood summers spent in North Carolina. Now in their 30s, each grappling with the harsh realities of adulthood, they're forced to confront secrets and betrayals from both the past and present that threaten to unravel their chosen family." Aaron Kaplan will executive produce alongside Peters and Harvey for Kapital Entertainment and 20th Television. Tiffany Przybyla Wong and Jaiden Kaplan co-executive produce. (Deadline.com, 8/19)
TRUE DETECTIVE (HBO) - Oscar winner Nicolas Cage is in talks to topline the fifth season of the anthology series. (Deadline.com, 8/21)
UNTITLED DAN FOGELMAN NFL SERIES (Hulu) - Mandy Moore has signed onto the series from the "This Is Us" creator as Lauren, "the daughter of NFL team owner Hank Durkin (William H. Macy) and his heir apparent." (Deadline.com, 8/18)
UNTITLED MIKE EPPS PROJECT (CBS, New!) - Mike Epps is attached to star in a multi-camera comedy at the network: "In the untitled half-hour, after wildfires sweep through Altadena, two estranged Black brothers - one played by Epps - reunite to sell their late grandmother's house to private developers. But when they learn her caretaker now owns part of the home and refuses to sell, they're forced to live together and confront their differences - and what community, legacy, and family really mean." Khalabo Ink Society's Kenya Barris is behind the half-hour for BET Studios and CBS Studios with Epps, Niles Kirchner, and Kapital Entertainment's Aaron Kaplan also executive producing. (Deadline.com, 8/19)
VARNELL HILL (BET+) - Kym Whitley will star opposite Tommy Davidson on the eight-episode "Martin" spin-off as Kim Jones, "Varnell's (Davidson) longtime assistant, emotional bodyguard, professional fixer, and the talk show's unofficial executive producer." (Deadline.com, 8/20)
WOLFENSTEIN (Amazon) - Creator Patrick Somerville has signed a two-year television overall deal with producer Amazon MGM Studios. He'll continue to develop new projects alongside Stephanie Jacob-Goldman via their chaoticgood.tv banner. (Variety.com, 8/20)
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· ADVOCATE, THE (ABC)
· BLADE RUNNER 2099 (AMAZON)
· COLIN KAEPERNICK DOCUMENTARY SERIES (ESPN)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· DEXTER: ORIGINAL SIN (SHOWTIME)
· DEXTER: RESURRECTION (SHOWTIME)
· FAITHFUL, THE (FOX)
· GOLDEN BACHELOR, THE (ABC)
· HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE (HBO)
· JOSEPH OF EGYPT (AMAZON)
· KATABASIS (AMAZON)
· LAND, THE (HULU)
· NCIS (CBS)
· PENGUIN, THE (HBO)
· PERFECT COUPLE, THE (NETFLIX)
· PITT, THE (HBO MAX)
· PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (NETFLIX)
· SHARDS, THE (FX)
· SHIFTING GEARS (ABC)
· STRANGER THINGS (NETFLIX)
· SUMMER OF SONGBIRDS, THE (HULU)
· TRUE DETECTIVE (HBO)
· UNTITLED MIKE EPPS PROJECT (CBS)
· VARNELL HILL SHOW, THE (PARAMOUNT PLUS)
· WOLFENSTEIN (AMAZON)
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[09/22/26 - 12:16 PM]
Netflix's "Crew Girl" Renewed for Season 2
Season 1 of the coming-of-age teen drama series launched on September 10 and debuted in the Netflix English TV Top 10, where it has remained since its release, climbing up to #2 this week.
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[09/22/26 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of September 14 - "Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Again?" Holds No. 1 for a Second Week
"Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story" debuted at the top of the English TV list with 12.1 million views.
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[09/22/26 - 12:00 PM]
"Dateline" Is the #1 Friday Newsmagazine in Both Key Demos for Second Consecutive Broadcast Season
The broadcast remains the #1 most-watched news magazine franchise and #1 most-watched true-crime franchise in total linear minutes watched for the season, with 151.2 million total viewers, up +4% vs. last season.
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[09/22/26 - 11:01 AM]
"Darkwing Duck" Is Back with an All-New Animated Series Greenlit for Disney+
Mark Hamill, Seth Rogen, Lizzy Caplan and Lilimar lead the show's voice cast.
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[09/22/26 - 10:31 AM]
Video: Trailer Available - Hulu Original "Reasonable Doubt" Season 4
Season 4 will debut with a three-episode premiere on October 6, with a new episode premiering each Tuesday through November 24 exclusively on Disney+ and Hulu.
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[09/22/26 - 10:01 AM]
Video: "Vampirina: Teenage Vampire" Season 2 Lets It All Fang Out with New Trailer
The series returns October 6 on Disney Channel, and the full season will stream the next day on Disney+.
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[09/22/26 - 09:33 AM]
Great American Media Unveils the Greatest Slate of Christmas Movies Ever Assembled for a Single Season
Leading the extraordinary lineup is the beloved "Queen of Christmas," Candace Cameron Bure, who stars in two films and serves as executive producer of a third movie.
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[09/22/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Norm: The Tale of Norm Macdonald" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Go down a wormhole in this documentary on master of deadpan humor Norm Macdonald, whose life and career were uncompromising yet full of contradictions.
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[09/22/26 - 09:01 AM]
"Soulm8te" Kicks Off Huluween Thursday, October 1
Unnerving, sexy, suspenseful, and darkly compelling, the film follows a grieving engineer tasked with testing a ruthless tech giant's new artificially intelligent android.
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[09/22/26 - 09:00 AM]
ESPN and Omaha Productions Announce ESPN Original Series "The Breakdown" Hosted by Peyton Manning and Luke Kuechly
New episodes will debut Fridays on the ESPN App, with select episodes also airing on ESPN.
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[09/22/26 - 09:00 AM]
George Michael Tribute Set for the "2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs)" Sunday, Sept. 27 on CBS
Raye, Sombr, and Teddy Swims will come together for a tribute performance to honor musical genius and icon.
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[09/22/26 - 08:11 AM]
BET Launches aTwist Microseries Partnership with Psychological Thriller "Her Baby," Premiering Wednesday, October 7 at 10 P.M. ET/CT on BET
The reformatted microseries will be presented in half-hour installments and aired in a horizontal format.
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[09/22/26 - 08:10 AM]
MGM+ Greenlights Crime Thriller "Rules of Prey" Starring Jensen Ackles
The project is an adaptation of Pulitzer-Prize-winning journalist John Sandford's acclaimed book series.
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[09/22/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: Watch the Gripping Trailer for "Clown Panic," The Chilling New Documentary Coming Exclusively to Hulu on October 12, 2026
Featuring chilling archive footage, viral internet videos and revealing interviews with witnesses, law enforcement, clowns and cultural commentators, "Clown Panic" examines the collision of fear, social media and modern America at a moment of deep national anxiety.
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[09/22/26 - 07:46 AM]
AMC Global Media to Debut Crime Drama "Smilla's Sense of Snow," from ITV Studios and Constantin Film, in U.S and Canada on AMC+
The modern adaptation of Peter Høeg's worldwide bestseller stars Filippa Coster-Waldau, Elyas M'Barek and Henry Lloyd-Hughes, and is directed by BAFTA Winner Amma Asante.
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