or


[02/20/07 - 12:39 AM]
Development Update: Tuesday, February 20
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!


THE APOSTLES (FOX) - Shawn Hatosy ("Factory Girl") is the first to be cast in the drama pilot, about the off-duty lives of cops in Simi Valley, California. He'll play one of them, a family guy whose wife also is on the L.A.P.D.

Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Shawn Hatosy
Writer: Charles Pratt, Jr.
Director: TBA
Executive Producers: Charles Pratt, Jr.
Studio: 20th Century Fox Television


THE CURE (FOX) - Anson Mount ("Conviction"), Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon ("N.Y.P.D. Blue") and Esai Morales ("Vanished") have all been cast in the drama pilot, about a pharmaceutical executives who quits his job to join a small organization that cuts corners to find medical cures. The trio will play members of said group - Darren Elliot, Trudie Ericson and Jorge, respectively.

Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Anson Mount (Darren Elliot), Esai Morales (Jorge), Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon (Trudie Ericson)
Writers: John Zinman, Patrick Massett
Director: Danny Cannon
Executive Producers: Akiva Goldsman (Weed Road Pictures), Danny Cannon, John Zinman, Patrick Massett
Co-Executive Producers: Brittany Lovett, Stephanie Koff
Studio: Warner Bros. Television


FORT PIT (NBC) - Viola Davis ("Traveler") has booked the final principal role on the drama pilot, about one of the worst police precincts in Brooklyn. She's set as Captain Gloria Lefkowitz, who's described in the casting notice as: "34-48, any ethnicity. The captain of the 74th, she's "attractive but very good at hiding it." Married, with a young son, Lefkowitz hasn't been dehumanized by the chaos and corruption that surrounds her, and she seems to have acclimated to the Wild West climate that prevails among her rank and file. However, as we later learn, Lefkowitz is keenly interested in cleaning up Fort Pit, and will hand-pick the idealistic young Bonelli to assist her." Her casting is in second position to her duties on the yet-to-premiere ABC drama.

Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Dania Ramirez (Angela Hardwick), David Call (Don Van Ness), Elias Koteas (Jack Cade), James Badge Dale (Bobby Bonelli), Michael Rispoli (Sgt. Jim Wesson), Viola Davis (Captain Gloria Lefkowitz)
Writers: Michael Chernuchin, Peter Tolan
Director: Peter Tolan
Executive Producers: Denis Leary (Apostle Productions), Jim Serpico (Apostle Productions), Michael Chernuchin, Peter Tolan
Producers: Lou DiGiamo, Robert Cea
Studio: Sony Pictures Television


JOURNEYMAN (NBC) - Reed Diamond ("Vanished") is the latest addition to the drama pilot, about a man (Kevin McKidd) who travels back in time. He'll play the brother of said man, Jack Vasser, who's detailed in the casting notice as follows: "35-40, Caucasian. Jack is Dan's (Kevin McKidd) brother, a cop whose job has made him a little cynical--but he's the kind of cop you want on the line. (Jack is a little more blue collar than Dan, with hardened good looks.) Not particularly easy going , Jack's only grudgingly civil to Katie and Dan, since there's some intense emotional history between them: Katie was once Jack's girlfriend, and he still has feelings for her). Seen in the present and also back in 1997, when Dan travels back to his engagement party where Jack and Katie are vividly present, Jack loves his brother, worries about him, and tells him that he's there for him if he wants to talk."

Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Kevin McKidd (Dan Vasser), Moon Bloodgood (Livia Beale), Reed Diamond (Jack Vasser)
Writer: Kevin Falls
Director: Alex Graves
Executive Producers: Alex Graves, Kevin Falls
Studio: 20th Century Fox Television


LIFE ON MARS (ABC) - Dwight Little ("Murder at 1600") has signed on to direct the drama pilot, about a cop who finds himself transported back to the 1970s. He'll work from a script by creator David E. Kelley.

Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Rachelle Lefevre (Annie Cartright)
Writer: David E. Kelley
Director: Dwight Little
Executive Producers: David E. Kelley (David E. Kelley Productions), Jane Featherstone (Kudos Productions), Stephen Garrett (Kudos Productions)
Studio: 20th Century Fox Television


THE MAN (CBS) - "The O.C." alum Melinda Clarke has scored a role on the LL Cool J-led drama pilot, about an undercover cop who juggles his job and taking care of a boy orphaned after one of his drug busts. She's believed to be playing Lt. Brooke McClusky, who's described in the casting notice as: "35-40, Female. Tough, sexy, and smart, she's Manny's boss, the head of the task force to clean up Los Angeles. Her background includes detective work in the Robbery/Homicide Division, and that experience has well-equipped her to oversee undercover operations. She briefs the group on their missions and is surprised when Manny becomes emotionally involved with Kiko. She worries sometimes that Manny tries too hard to save everyone."

Commitment: Ordered to pilot (14-20 minute presentation)
Cast: Jessica Collins (Constance Brielle), LL Cool J (Manny "The Man" Baxter), Melinda Clarke (Lt. Brooke McClusky)
Writer: Anthony Zuiker
Director: TBA
Executive Producers: Anthony Zuiker
Producers: Jason Barrett (Alchemy Entertainment), LL Cool J
Studio: CBS Paramount Network Television


SLEEPER CELL (Showtime) - Co-creators Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris have inked a two-year, seven-figure overall deal with Warner Bros. Television. The pact calls for the pair to develop new series projects for the studio. The duo also confirmed their Showtime drama won't be returning for a third season as Voris told Daily Variety: "When it became clear that 'Sleeper Cell' wasn't coming back for a third season, we immediately had a meeting with [Warner Bros. Television]."


UNTITLED GABE SACHS/JEFF JUDAH PROJECT (ABC) - Ashley Williams ("How I Met Your Mother") is the first to be cast in the comedy pilot, about the dating and competitive work life of co-workers and friends at a top law firm. She'll play Julie, the co-leader of the litigating team who is Ivy League smart, tomboy cool and sexy.

Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Ashley Williams (Julie)
Writers: Gabe Sachs, Jeff Judah
Director: TBA
Executive Producers: Gabe Sachs, Jeff Judah
Studio: ABC Television Studio


UNTITLED VICTORIA PILE PROJECT (ABC) - The newly rebranded ABC Television Studio has come aboard as a co-producer of the comedy pilot, which revolves around the eccentric characters in a police precinct. CBS Paramount Network Television was originally announced as the sole producer of the project.

Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: TBA
Writer: Victoria Pile
Director: Victoria Pile
Executive Producers: Victoria Pile
Studios: ABC Television Studio, CBS Paramount Network Television


Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [february 2007]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
    


· APOSTLES, THE (FOX)
· CONVICTION (NBC)
· CURE, THE (FOX)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· FORT PIT (NBC)
· HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER (CBS)
· JOURNEYMAN (NBC)
· LIFE ON MARS (ABC)
· MAN, THE (CBS)
· NYPD BLUE (ABC)
· OC, THE (FOX)
· SLEEPER CELL (SHOWTIME)
· TRAVELER (ABC)
· UNTITLED SACHS & JUDAH PROJECT (ABC)
· UNTITLED VICTORIA PILE PROJECT (ABC)
· VANISHED (FOX)





[10/17/25 - 01:16 PM]
"Live with Kelly and Mark" Hits Season Highs with Best Audience Performance Since July
"Live" has now ranked as the No. 1 talk show in syndication for 139 consecutive weeks across all key measures.

[10/17/25 - 10:38 AM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Continues Historic Hot Streak - Rising for Fourth Straight Week Since Premiere with 6 Million Total Viewers
Plus: "High Potential" dominated the 10 p.m. hour with 4.15 million Total Viewers and a 0.33 rating among Adults 18-49.

[10/17/25 - 10:01 AM]
51st Season of "Saturday Night Live" Continues with Three Back-to-Back Shows in November
Miles Teller is on tap to host on November 1, followed by Nikki Glaser on November 8, and Glen Powell on November 15.

[10/17/25 - 09:05 AM]
All-New Season of "The Last Woodsmen" Premieres Friday, November 14 at 9PM ET/PT on Discovery
Deep in the untamed wilderness of the Pacific Northwest, veteran logger Jared Douglas returns to put everything on the line in the new season.

[10/17/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Mob War: Philadelphia vs. The Mafia" - Sneak Peek - Netflix
A brutal mob war between John Stanfa and Joey Merlino plunges '90s Philadelphia into chaos and bloodshed in this captivating true-crime series.

[10/17/25 - 08:31 AM]
Video: "Me late que si" - Official Trailer - Netflix
A desperate, ordinary man, fed up with his misfortune, hatches a daring heist and assembles a very unusual group to attempt the impossible: stealing a live lottery jackpot.

[10/17/25 - 08:00 AM]
"Weapons" Begins Streaming Exclusively on HBO Max October 24
When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at 2:17 a.m., a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance.

[10/17/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "My Secret Santa" - Official Trailer - Netflix
A vivacious single-mom (Alexandra Breckenridge) in need of a job decides to disguise herself as a man in order to get hired as the seasonal Santa at a luxury ski resort.

[10/17/25 - 07:01 AM]
"Euphoria" Season 3 Is Coming Spring 2026
Newly announced cast members include Gideon Adlon, Bill Bodner, Colleen Camp, Danielle Deadwyler, Homer Gere, Jessica Blair Herman, Natasha Lyonne, Hemky Madera, Kwame Patterson, Trisha Paytas, Rebecca Pidgeon, Bella Podaras, Cailyn Rice, Eli Roth, Madison Thompson, Jack Topalian, Sam Trammell, Matthew Willig.

[10/17/25 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Eloa the Hostage: Live on TV" - Official Trailer - Netflix
This gripping documentary explores the case of a teenage girl who was kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend in one of Brazil's most shocking hostage situations.

[10/17/25 - 06:01 AM]
Apple Is the Exclusive New Broadcast Partner for Formula 1 in the U.S.
Apple TV will deliver comprehensive coverage of Formula 1, with all practice, qualifying, Sprint sessions, and Grands Prix available to Apple TV subscribers.

[10/16/25 - 02:11 PM]
Video: National Geographic Unveils First Look at "Chris Hemsworth: A Road Trip to Remember" - A Powerful and Heartfelt Special Featuring the Global Movie Star on His Most Personal Journey Yet
The one-hour documentary, from Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Darren Aronofsky's Protozoa, Jane Root's Nutopia, and Chris Hemsworth and Ben Grayson's Wild State, premieres November 23 at 9:00/8:00c on National Geographic and streams the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.

[10/16/25 - 12:58 PM]
Lifetime Announces Annual "It's a Wonderful Lifetime" Holiday Movie Slate Kicking Off November 29th
Featured talent this year includes Brandy Norwood, Kane & Katelyn Brown, Loretta Devine, Debbi Morgan, Arielle Kebbel, Tyler Hilton, James Lafferty, Vivica A. Fox, Jackée Harry, Sy'Rai Smith, Nischelle Turner, Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman, and others.

[10/16/25 - 12:31 PM]
Video: "The Witcher" Season 4 - Character Trailer - Netflix
Scattered to fates unknown, Geralt, Yennefer and Ciri traverse the war-torn Continent and its countless enemies in the hope of finding each other again.

[10/16/25 - 11:32 AM]
A+E Global Media and Rachael Ray's Free Food Studios Cook Up Expanded Programming Partnership with Over 100 New Episodes Ordered
The network has ordered 110 new episodes of Ray's programming, including new episodes of "Meals in Minutes," that will continue to focus on her approachable and comforting cooking style.