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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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[03/02/26 - 09:20 AM]
FOX's "Best Medicine" Renewed for Season 2
The series premiere delivered 12.6 million total multiplatform viewers, and the series ranks among broadcast's Top 2 highest-rated drama debuts this season among Adults 18-49.
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[03/02/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Harry Styles. One Night in Manchester." - Announcement - Netflix
In a special one off concert in Manchester, recorded on the evening of March 6, Harry Styles will play his new album, "Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally." for the very first time.
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[03/02/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice" - Official Trailer - Hulu
A time-traveling, double-crossing, ass-kicking comedy.
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[03/02/26 - 09:01 AM]
"This City Is Ours: A Crime Family Saga" Set to Premiere Thursday, March 5, Exclusively on AMC+
The series follows the chaos that ignites when notorious gang boss Ronnie (Sean Bean) steps back from his criminal empire, triggering a violent power struggle between his volatile son Jamie (Jack McMullen) and trusted lieutenant Michael (James Nelson-Joyce), who suddenly sees a chance to claim the throne.
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[03/02/26 - 09:00 AM]
"Welcome to Plathville" Returns to TLC with a Defining New Chapter on Tuesday, March 31 at 10PM ET/PT
The fresh chapter is focused on moving forward, whether that means protecting and fighting for love, rebuilding relationships, or confronting the past head-on.
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[03/02/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: Prime Video Announces Premiere Date and Reveals Title Sequence for Upcoming Animated Series, "Kevin," from Aubrey Plaza, Joe Wengert, and Dan Murphy
All eight episodes will debut exclusively on Prime Video on Monday, April 20, 2026, in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
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[03/02/26 - 08:00 AM]
"ZOMBIES 5" Greenlit for Disney+ and Disney Channel, with Breakout Stars Malachi Barton and Freya Skye Set to Return
Franchise stars Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly return to executive produce, while Trevor Tordjman returns as Bucky, the beloved cheer captain and cousin of Addison from the original trilogy.
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[03/02/26 - 07:01 AM]
Netflix Announces Mind-Blowing Science Competition Series, "SCHOOLED!", Hosted by Former NASA Engineer Mark Rober
Mark Rober is on a mission to discover the next generation of Inventors, Makers, and Engineers.
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[03/02/26 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "One Piece" Season 2 - Final Trailer - Netflix
Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates set sail for the legendary Grand Line, encountering wondrous new lands and fresh dangers in their quest for treasure.
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[03/02/26 - 02:01 AM]
Video: "53 Sundays" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When three siblings agree to meet and discuss their aging father's future, their reunion spirals into bickering, bantering and reliving old grudges.
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[03/01/26 - 07:31 PM]
Outstanding Film and Television Performances Honored at the 32nd Annual Actor Awards Presented by SAG-AFTRA
The 32nd Annual Actor Awards will be available to stream on Netflix for 28 days after the show.
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[03/01/26 - 10:45 AM]
"Shockwaves: The Attack on Iran" Airs Sunday, March 1, on ABC and Streams on Disney+ and Hulu
Led by David Muir, the special reports on what preceded the surprise deadly attack, President Trump's decision to launch Operation Epic Fury, the massive military operation between the United States and Israel and the reaction from Capitol Hill.
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[02/27/26 - 09:31 PM]
Video: "Hello Bachhon" - Official Trailer - Netflix
A physics teacher sets out to make quality education accessible to all students through online learning. Based on a true story.
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[02/27/26 - 04:01 PM]
Video: "BEASTARS" Final Season Part 2 - Final Trailer - Netflix
As interspecies distrust grows, Melon targets Haru, forcing Legoshi and Louis to unite from their separate worlds to confront their common enemy.
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[02/27/26 - 03:00 PM]
"Survivor 50" Premiere Wins the Night Posting CBS' Most-Watched Wednesday Since 2022
Said premiere averaged 5.06 million viewers, peaking with 6.18 million.
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