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[09/26/25 - 11:38 PM]
Development Update: Week of September 22-26
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!
AMERICAN HOSTAGE (MGM+) - Kristoffer Polaha is the latest to board the period drama as Dick Hall, "the president of Meridian Mortgage who is taken hostage by Tony Kiritsis (Giovanni Ribisi), who publicly accuses him on being a greedy and cutthroat monster. But the real human being is more complicated than that." (Deadline.com, 9/24)
BAD MONKEY (Apple TV+) - Yvonne Strahovski and Zavior Phillips have both joined the cast of the show's sophomore run. She'll play the role of County State Attorney Delaney; and he's set as Eddie, "a CPA investigating financial crimes." (Deadline.com, 9/22; Variety.com, 9/23)
BEL-AIR (Peacock) - Tyra Banks will drop by the show's final season as "a former college classmate with a big personality, with whom Viv (Cassandra Freeman) is reluctantly reunited. In the original series, Banks played Will's (Will Smith) ex-girlfriend from Philly, Jackie Ames." Banks previously guest starred on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" in an unrelated role. (Deadline.com, 9/24)
BLIPPI'S JOB SHOW (Netflix) - Clayton Grimm, who plays the titular character, has signed a new multi-year overall talent deal with producer Moonbug Entertainment. (Deadline.com, 9/25)
CATFISH: THE TV SHOW (MTV) - The cable channel has pulled the plug on the series after nine seasons. (Variety.com, 9/22)
CROW GIRL, THE (Acorn TV) - Paramount+ U.K. & Ireland, the show's originator, has renewed the series for a second season: "Bristol Police Detective Jeanette Kilburn has ended her marriage and found herself in bed with enigmatic psychologist Dr. Sophia Craven. Jeanette's hunt for the killers of young male asylum seekers takes a shocking new turn when a mummified body, discovered in a church wall, and a body in a freezer reveal a chilling connection. As Jeanette digs deeper, Sophia begins to suspect Victoria Burkeman, her mysterious and unstable former patient who has previously been convicted of multiple murders, could be responsible. With the case growing darker, Sophia suspects Victoria is more familiar than she thought, and Jeanette must face the terrifying truth: the killer may be closer than she ever imagined." (THR.com, 9/24)
DAY OF THE JACKAL, THE (Peacock) - David Harrower has been tapped as lead writer for the series' second season. Creator Ronan Bennett "is stepping back from his writing duties due to other commitments but will continue to exec produce." (Variety.com, 9/22)
DIPLOMAT, THE (Netflix) - Allison Janney and Bradley Whitford will return as regulars for the series' previously ordered fourth season. (Deadline.com, 9/26)
DOWN BY THE RIVER (AMC, New!) - Writer/director Peter Landesman is developing a new drama at AMC Networks based on Charles Bowden's book of the same name: "Down by the River is a family saga that is equal parts crime procedural and conspiracy thriller. The murder of the brother of the DEA's Dallas chief Phil Jordan unravels into something so big it doesn't seem to have borders. Set mostly in high-society Dallas - at the nexus of oil money, politics, religion, and crime - solving his beloved brother's murder will take Jordan back to the streets, back across the border, back to an old alter-ego everyone, including him, had thought had been dead and buried." Scott Stuber will also executive produce. (Deadline.com, 9/24)
FOURTH WING (Amazon) - Meredith Averill has been tapped as the new showrunner of its Rebecca Yarros adaptation. She succeeds Moira Walley-Beckett. Jac Schaeffer was previously in talks to join the project but ultimately didn't sign on. Yarros, Michael B. Jordan, Elizabeth Raposo, Jonathan Nolan, Lisa Joy, Athena Wickham, Liz Pelletier, and Sherryl Clark also executive produce for Outlier Society, Kilter Films, Premeditated, and Amazon MGM Studios. Stefano Agosto will co-executive produce. (Variety.com, 9/24)
GHOSTING WITH LUKE HUTCHIE AND MATTHEW FINLAN (Peacock, New!) - The streamer has acquired both eight-episode seasons of Canadian reality series starring Luke Hutchie and Matthew Finlan to debut in October: "Joined by celebrity guests, the amateur ghost-wrangling duo will traverse the country, investigating stories of paranormal activity in Ontario, British Columbia, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and the Yukon Territory. Their mission remains unchanged: to uncover the truth behind local ghostlore and deliver a verdict of "haunted" or "not haunted"." Hutchie, Finlan, Matthew Hornburg, Mark J.W. Bishop, Donna Luke, Jennifer Harkness, and Mitch Burman are among the executive producers for Blue Ant Studios and Luke Hutchie Productions. (Deadline.com, 9/26)
GOLF (Netflix) - Luke Wilson has been added to the Will Ferrell-led comedy series as "a pro golfer who rivals Lonnie, having beaten him for the tour championship twice." (Deadline.com, 9/26)
HIGH POTENTIAL (ABC) - James Roday Rodriguez has signed on to direct two episodes of the series this season. (Deadline.com, 9/23)
KILLER GRANNIES (Oxygen) - June Squibb is set to host the upcoming "true-crime series that chronicles the most shocking and unpredictable cases involving a killer no one would suspect: Grandma." (Variety.com, 9/24)
MONOPOLY (Netflix) - Studio Lambert, Wheelhouse, and Endemol Shine North America are among the finalists to produce the show's latest small screen take on the iconic board game as part of a large-scale bake-off. (Deadline.com, 9/26)
NCIS: ORIGINS (CBS) - Philip Winchester will recur on the prequel series as Mason Franks, "the older brother of Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid), a Texas-tough cowboy who has recently hit rock bottom. Mason is an honorable man who has fallen on hard times and is desperately trying to keep from losing the family ranch. His desperation leads him to seek help from his estranged little brother." (Deadline.com, 9/22)
NOT SUITABLE FOR WORK (Hulu) - Jay Ellis will round out the cast of the comedy series as Bill Gibson, "a charismatic, successful investment banker who is admired for being his firm's highest-earning managing director." (Deadline.com, 9/24)
PAGANS (Netflix, New!) - Joshua Zetumer has scored a straight to series order from the streamer for a new drama: "Pagans follows a man who becomes the sole caretaker of his two children after the tragic loss of his wife. While his son is typical, his daughter, Alice, is anything but. What starts as a strained father-daughter relationship soon evolves into something far more sinister. Equal parts emotional, horrifying and humorous, Pagans uses genre to unearth all the dark thoughts that parents have, the kind of thoughts mom and dad are never supposed to talk about... " Entertainment 360's Guymon Casady will also presumably executive produce. (Deadline.com, 9/23)
PLURIBUS (Apple TV+) - Creator Vince Gilligan has signed a four-year exclusive deal with Sony Pictures Television, home to his High Bridge Productions banner. (Deadline.com, 9/24)
RANSOM CANYON (Netflix) - Eoin Macken's Davis Collins and Andrew Liner's Reid Collins will not return as regulars for the show's second season. (Deadline.com, 9/22)
SAVANT, THE (Apple TV+) - The streamer has opted to postpone the Jessica Chastain-led drama from its September 26 launch: "After careful consideration, we have made the decision to postpone The Savant," a spokesperson said in a statement. "We appreciate your understanding and look forward to releasing the series at a future date." (Deadline.com, 9/23)
SULLIVAN'S CROSSING (The CW) - Fuad Ahmed, Jonathan Silverman, Colby Frost, Emerson MacNeil, and Marcus Rosner have all joined the cast of the show's fourth season. Ahmed plays Amir Malik; Silverman portrays Quincy Carlson; Frost plays Ben Nelson; MacNeil is Tracy; and Rosner plays Liam Davies, having first appeared in the season three finale. (Deadline.com, 9/25)
THINGS WE NEVER GOT OVER (Amazon) - Eric Charmelo and Nicole Snyder are now spearheading Amazon MGM Studios' small screen take on Lucy Score's novel: "Things We Never Got Over follows Naomi Witt, who is on the run, not just from her fiancé and a church full of well-wishers, but from her entire life. When she finds herself in rural Virginia coming to the aid of her hot mess of a twin, she falls for the small town and a sexy local, who helps her rediscover herself." They'll succeed Amy Rardin, who was part of the original sale in 2023, and presumably Lynley Bird and Patrick Moran. Gina Girolamo of Strega Stories will now executive produce alongside Charmelo and Snyder with Score serving as co-executive producer. (Deadline.com, 9/26)
UNTITLED MARC CHERRY PROJECT (Netflix, New!) - Marc Cherry has sold an untitled project to the streamer set in Charleston, South Carolina: "The series follows four couples - bound by family, marriage, and fate - who sit at the center of Charleston's most powerful legacy families. With insider access to Charleston's elite and high society, the show explores the tension between old money tradition, hidden scandals, and the pressures of contemporary life." Jason Owen, Marcy Ross, and Tara Roy will also executive produce for Sandbox Studios. (Deadline.com, 9/25)
UNTITLED MARSHAWN LYNCH PROJECT (Amazon, New!) - Former NFL star Marshawn Lynch is attached to star in a potential new comedy at Amazon MGM Studios: "Currently untitled, the show stars Lynch as a version of himself who, in refusing the typical life of a retired athlete, dives into a new career as a Las Vegas private eye - teaming with a tough, veteran female PI in a partnership as unpredictable as the cases they take on." Max Searle is behind the half-hour with Lynch, Luke Dillon, Luke Maxwell, Will Arnett, Marc Forman, Bryon Sheng, and Diaunte Thompson also executive producing for 3 Arts Entertainment, Electric Avenue, and Beastmode Productions. (Deadline.com, 9/23)
UNTITLED WITNESS PROTECTION PILOT (FX) - Aidan Gillen will guest on the Alison Brie-led drama pilot as Carl Milliken III, "a business executive who identifies more with his workface than the military contractors he interacts with, sources close to production reveal." (Deadline.com, 9/22)
WALKING DEAD, THE: DEAD CITY (AMC) - Jimmi Simpson has signed onto the show's third season as Dillard, an unspecified new series regular. (Deadline.com, 9/24)
WITCHER, THE (Netflix) - Peter Mullan has been added to the show's fourth season as Vesemir, "a veteran monster hunter and father figure to Geralt." He replaces Kim Bodnia, who originated the role in season two. As previously announced Liam Hemsworth is taking over the titular role, succeeding Henry Cavill. (EW.com, 9/25)
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[04/03/26 - 11:00 AM]
Hulu Is the Place for New Anime in April
From series launches of "Mao" and "Snowball Earth" to a new season of "Mission: Yozakura Family," there's so much for fans to sink their teeth into.
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[04/03/26 - 09:55 AM]
Video: AMC/AMC+ Releases an Inside Look at "The Audacity," From Emmy Award-Winner Jonathan Glatzer
Already renewed for a second season, "The Audacity" is set inside the bubble of Silicon Valley and takes on the warped dreams, outsized egos, and ethical lapses of the self-styled inventors of the future.
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[04/03/26 - 09:08 AM]
Bobby Flay, Maneet Chauhan and Brooke Williamson Lead Teams of Elite Pitmasters in Return of Fiery Competition Series "BBQ Brawl"
The series returns Monday, May 11 at 9pm ET/PT with three superstar chefs leading a brand-new roster of twelve pitmasters in a fierce battle to win the title of "Master of 'Cue."
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[04/03/26 - 08:00 AM]
Season Six of The Global Hit Series "The Chosen" Premieres Exclusively on Prime Video, November 15, 2026
Featuring six episodes, season six will debut three episodes on November 15, followed by the release of a weekly episode through December 6.
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[04/03/26 - 07:01 AM]
BET to Air "HBCU AWAREFEST Benefit Concert Special" Sunday, April 5 at 9 PM ET/8 PM CT
The star-studded benefit concert supporting HBCUs features a genre-spanning lineup including Jill Scott, Tems, Common, Jeezy, Yolanda Adams, Coco Jones, Kirk Franklin, BigXthaPlug, and more.
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[04/03/26 - 07:00 AM]
James Marsden Returns to Host "Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat" Reunion Special For Prime Video On April 10
The bonus episodes will debut on April 10, 2026, and will be available in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
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[04/03/26 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Fake Profile" Season 3 - Official Trailer - Netflix
Camila meets her Prince Charming through a dating app. After an idyllic romance, she plans to surprise him - only to end up trapped in a false paradise.
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[04/02/26 - 08:01 PM]
Video: Competition Heats Up with Intrigue and Spices - Netflix Unveils Trailer for New Drama "Made with Love"
At the heart of this culinary showdown is Luka, an ambitious young chef determined to become head chef at her mother's legendary restaurant.
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[04/02/26 - 01:46 PM]
ABC News Is #1 in Total Viewers Sunday Morning, in Late-Night and Friday Night
ABC News' "20/20" ranked as Friday's No. 1 newsmagazine during the 1st quarter 2026 in Total Viewers (4.023 million) and Adults 25-54 (673,000), based on Most Current Big Data+Panel Ratings.
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[04/02/26 - 01:45 PM]
Katie Conway Promoted to Executive Producer of Robin Roberts Production Unit at ABC News Studios
Conway joined the unit in 2023 when it launched as a senior producer.
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[04/02/26 - 12:31 PM]
Paramount+ Greenlights New Reality Series, "Team Moms," Executive Produced by Kim Kardashian and Love Island Producers, ITV
"Team Moms" launches viewers into the world of nationally competitive youth baseball via immersion into the Legendary Prep Academy in Scottsdale, Arizona's first and only baseball prep school.
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[04/02/26 - 12:01 PM]
Jamie Bell and Charlie Heaton Lead a New Generation of "Peaky Blinders" and First Look of Bell as Duke Is Revealed
Jessica Brown Findlay, Lashana Lynch, and Lucy Karczewski are also on board.
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[04/02/26 - 12:01 PM]
"Wizards Beyond Waverly Place" Returns for One Last Spell This Summer on Disney+ and Disney Channel
Executive producer Selena Gomez to make her directorial debut with the premiere episode.
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[04/02/26 - 11:44 AM]
First-Ever "American Idol" Simulcast on ABC and Disney+ Surges Double Digits
Season to date, "American Idol" averages 5.11 million Total Viewers and stands as one of the few shows to notch year-over-year gains this season.
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[04/02/26 - 11:11 AM]
Sarah Drew and Eric Johnson to Headline "When I Said I Do" (wt), The New Movie Inspired by Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black's Beloved Duet of the Same Name
The movie is set to premiere Saturday, May 23 at 8/7c as part of the network's upcoming spring "Love of a Lifetime" original movie slate.
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