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[02/01/08 - 06:16 PM]
Development Update: Week of January 28-February 1
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!
ABC FAMILY ORIGINAL SERIES (ABC Family) - The cable channel has firmed up its original series plans for 2008 and beyond. It's understood recently completed pilots "The Middleman" and "Roomies" have been ordered to series as has a new untitled hour from "7th Heaven" creator Brenda Hampton. "Middleman," from writer-producer Javier Grillo-Marxuach, stars Natalie Morales as a twentysomething struggling artist who's recruited by a secret agency to fight comic book-type villains alongside the title character (Matt Keeslar), a sci-fi superhero who serves as her guide. Jeremiah Chechik directed the pilot, which also stars Britt Morgan and Mary Pat Gleason. As for "Roomies," the multi-camera comedy stars Tyler Francavilla and David Weidoff as, you guessed it, roommates. Kieron Quirke and Robin French created the project, which is also executive produced by Michael Hanel and Mindy Schultheis of Acme Productions. Andy Cadiff directed the pilot. And finally, the Hampton hour is described as a teen relationship series similar in sensibility to "Juno." All three newcomers are said to have commitments of at least six episodes. "Middleman" and "Roomies" were part of a quartet of pilots ordered last year, the others being "Samurai Girl" and "Happy Campers." Hampton's project is believed to be a straight series commitment, contingent on casting the lead role.
Meanwhile in related ABC Family news, the network is in talks with Canadian broadcaster CBC to import the comedy "Sophie," about a young woman (Natalie Brown) whose picture-perfect life comes crashing down. 13 episodes have been completed of the half-hour, which bowed on January 9 on the network. Sebastian Spence, Amy Lalonde, Jeff Geddis, Mimi Kuzyk, Sara Botsford, Chantelle Chung and Catherine B�rub� also star in the project, which comes from Jocelyn Deschenes of Sphere Media Plus. The show itself is based on a French-language series that aired in Quebec before it was transplanted to the CBC. Lastly, ABC Family also confirmed a decision is expected soon on the fate of "Lincoln Heights" while "Wildfire," currently in its fourth season, won't be renewed for a fifth season.
DIRT (FX) - FX has confirmed Danny Comden ("I'm With Her") has completed a three-episode arc on the show's upcoming second season. He plays Ted Rothman, an almost-divorced president of a major TV studio who wants to rekindle a romance with Courtney Cox's character. The new season bows Sunday, March 2.
FRINGE (FOX) - Australian actress Anna Torv has scored the lead role on the two-hour drama pilot, about a young, tough FBI agent who is forced to confront the spread of unexplained phenomena and work with an institutionalized scientist whose work might be at the center of a coming storm. She'll play Olivia Warren, the agent in question. Also signing on are Blair Brown and Jasika Nicole. The former will play Nina Cord, a 16-year veteran at Prometheus Corp., a cutting-edge research facility, while Jasika Nicole is playing the recurring role of Astrid Farnsworth, a stunning federal assistant. They join the previously cast John Noble, Kirk Acevedo, Lance Reddick and Mark Valley. Alex Graves is helming the Warner Bros. Television/Bad Robot-based drama, which comes from co-creators Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and J.J. Abrams. The group also executive produces alongside Bad Robot's Bryan Burk.
UNTITLED FASHION MAGAZINE ASSISTANT PROJECT (The CW, New!) - "America's Next Top Model's" Tyra Banks and Ken Mok have scored a series commitment from the netlet for a new reality series in which aspiring assistants compete to become assistant editors at a fashion magazine. The project, which has an eight-episode commitment, is expected to begin production in April for a launch in late spring or summer. As for specifics, each episode will feature two different challenges - an individual one and a team one with the winner of the former making the pairings for the latter. Each team challenge then will focus on submitting a page for "The Book," a mock edition of the magazine, with the loser's page going in the trash and one of its members being sent home. Banks and Mok will executive produce the project via their respective banners, Bankable Productions and 10x10 Entertainment, alongside Eli Holzman, who developed "Project Runway" at Miramax Television, and Full Picture's Jane Cha and Desiree Gruber, fashion experts and managers of "Runway" host Heidi Klum. It's understood the "Runway" team came up the initial idea for the series and pitched it to the CW, who in turn paired them with Banks and Mok. Talks are underway with various magazines to sponsor the show with the editors themselves likely appearing as judges. It's not clear if Banks herself will appear on camera.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[02/11/26 - 02:34 PM]
Video: Trailer & Key Art Debut - "Watching You" Season 1 (ITV Studios)
The Australian series premieres February 20, 2026 on Hulu, and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S.
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[02/11/26 - 01:46 PM]
"Puppy Bowl XXII" Reaches 15.3 Million Viewers on Sunday, February 8, Delivering Highest Audience in Eight Years
The programming event ranked as the #1 non-sports cable telecast of the day among key adult demos and achieved a 20% year-over-year increase in reach, marking its strongest performance since 2018.
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[02/11/26 - 12:07 PM]
Culture's Biggest Week Dates Announced! BET Awards Set for June 28 & BETX Returns to Los Angeles June 25-27
For 25 years, the BET Awards has recognized the artists, creators, and leaders shaping culture in real time, delivering iconic performances, unforgettable tributes, and moments that resonate far beyond the stage.
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[02/11/26 - 11:15 AM]
Post-Olympics "Tonight Show" Telecast Attracts Most Viewers Since November 2024
The February 6 post-Olympics telecast of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" drew 2.4 million viewers.
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[02/11/26 - 09:33 AM]
Video: Trailer Debut - "Scrubs" Season One Premiering February 25th
With the show picking up in modern day, the series reunites the original cast for more heartwarming laughs and hijinks while introducing a new generation of interns.
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[02/11/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Rental Family" - Trailer - Hulu
The Brendan Fraser-led film streams on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ February 18.
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[02/11/26 - 09:00 AM]
Meet the Three New Farmers Ready to Cultivate Real Connections as "Farmer Wants a Wife" Returns Tuesday, April 21 at 8/7c on FOX
Hosted once again by Kimberly Williams-Paisley, season four strips the experience down to the roots, focusing on fewer farmers and deeper connections as a new group of single women leave behind city comforts for muddy boots, early mornings and the promise of forever.
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[02/11/26 - 09:00 AM]
Raj Kapoor, Sarah Levine Hall and Jack Sussman to Produce "The 79th Annual Tony Awards"
Kapoor, whose live event work has earned him multiple Emmy Awards, joins the celebratory event for the first time, while Emmy winner Levine Hall and Sussman have a long history contributing to the success of Broadway's biggest night.
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[02/11/26 - 08:31 AM]
Netflix's "XO, Kitty" Season 3 - First Look, Date Announcement & Synopsis Debut
The new season of the spin-off series returns to Netflix on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
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[02/11/26 - 08:07 AM]
ID's "Hunt for the Missing: Chicago" Looks to Find Answers to Some of the City's Most Haunting Unsolved Cases
Following Retired Chicago Detective Pamela Childs, a fearless and unflinching investigator whose mission is to not let cold cases go forgotten, the series explores some of the city's most haunting unsolved missing persons cases.
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[02/11/26 - 08:06 AM]
BritBox Announces March 18th Premiere for "The Lady"
The four-part drama series captures the rise and fall of former royal aide Jane Andrews, and stars Mia McKenna-Bruce as Andrews, Natalie Dormer as Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York and Ed Speleers as Thomas Cressman.
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[02/11/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Vladimir" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When an English professor becomes obsessed with a handsome new colleague, her already complicated marriage and career are thrown into total chaos.
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[02/11/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: Prime Video Debuts Official Key Art and Trailer for "Scarpetta," Based on Patricia Cornwell's Bestselling Novels, Premiering March 11
With over 120 million copies sold worldwide since the character's debut in 1990, this adaptation marks the culmination of decades of anticipation as the beloved forensic pathologist finally comes to the screen.
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[02/11/26 - 06:00 AM]
The "Descendants/ZOMBIES Worlds Collide: Concert Special" Is Coming to Disney+ and Disney Channel
The special will premiere February 19 on Disney Channel and will be available to stream the next day on Disney+.
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[02/11/26 - 01:01 AM]
Video: "Louis Theroux: Inside The Manosphere" - Official Teaser - Netflix
With rare access and no holds barred, the acclaimed documentarian investigates a growing ultra-masculine network and its controversial influencers.
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