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[05/12/08 - 06:53 AM]
Development Update: Monday, May 12 (Morning)
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!
CAPRICA (Sci Fi) - Eric Stoltz ("The Butterfly Effect") and Alessandra Toressani ("Malcolm in the Middle") have both joined the cast of the two-hour backdoor pilot, a prequel to the network's "Battlestar Galactica." Stoltz will play Daniel Graystone, a wealthy computer engineer who, after an emotionally crippling family tragedy, uses his technological wizardry to forever change the future of Caprica. Toressani then is set as his daughter, Zoe. The pair join the previously cast Esai Morales and Paula Malcomson in the project, which comes from Universal Media Studios and executive producers David Eick, Remi Aubuchon and Ronald D. Moore. Jeffrey Reiner directs.
CLASS DISMISSED (A.K.A. SIT DOWN, SHUT UP) (FOX) - The animated comedy, which received a series commitment over the weekend, has been renamed to "Class Dismissed." The project, from creator Mitch Hurwitz, revolves around the lives of seven staff members of a dysfunctional high school in a small northeastern fishing town. 20th Century Fox Television, Granada USA, Sony Pictures Television and Tantamount are co-producing the half-hour, which is also executive produced by Bill Oakley, Josh Weinstein, Eric Tannenbaum and Kim Tannenbaum.
DOLLHOUSE/FRINGE (FOX) - FOX has issued formal series commitments to both of the much-ballyhooed hours. Joss Whedon is behind the former, which revolves around a top-secret world of people programmed with different personalities, abilities and memories depending on their mission. The show's ensemble cast includes Amy Acker, Dichen Lachman, Eliza Dushku, Enver Gjokaj, Fran Kranz, Harry Lennix, Miracle Laurie, Olivia Williams and Tahmoh Penikett. 20th Century Fox Television is producing while Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain also serve as executive producers alongside Whedon. As for "Fringe," said hour follows the exploits of a young female FBI agent who tackles unexplained medical and scientific phenomena. Anna Torv toplines the Warner Bros. Television-based project, which also stars Blair Brown, Jasika Nicole, John Noble, Joshua Jackson, Kirk Acevedo, Lance Reddick and Mark Valley. Alex Graves, Alex Kurtzman, Bryan Burk, J.J. Abrams, Jeff Pinkner and Roberto Orci are the executive producers. "Dollhouse" is believed to be targeted for midseason while "Fringe" will likely roll out in the fall.
EUREKA (Sci Fi) - Frances Fisher ("In the Valley of Elah") has booked an eight-episode arc on the show's upcoming third season, due on July 29. She'll play Samantha Thorne, a.k.a. "The Fixer," a corporate titan who is brought in to clean up Global Dynamics. No other specifics were released.
MY OWN WORST ENEMY (NBC) - "Boston Legal" co-star Saffron Burrows has joined the cast of the Peacock's new drama, about a suburban dad named Henry (Christian Slate) whose alter ego, Edward, is a spy. She'll play Dr. Norah Skinner in the hour, who's detailed in the casting notice as: "Early 30s, beautiful without much makeup. She is a shrink and Edward's girlfriend who slaps him when she finds out he slept with Natasha, a Russian spy, during his mission to Paris. She runs a therapy sessions of sorts with Henry to make sure his memory is wiped clean of his time as Edward, and she's surprised when Edward asks her what Henry is like." Mike O'Malley also stars in the project, which comes from Universal Media Studios and creator Jason Smilovic. David Semel is directing the pilot.
THE PHILANTHROPIST (NBC) - "Battlestar Galactica" executive producer David Eick has been tapped as the new showrunner of the upcoming drama, about a renegade billionaire who uses his wealth, connections and power to help people in need no matter what the risks or costs. He'll take over for Tom Fontana, who penned the pilot and several additional scripts before exiting due to the creative differences last month. Eick, who recently inked an overall deal with "Philanthropist" producer Universal Media Studios, then will serve alongside fellow executive producer Charlie Corwin, whose idea the show is based upon. No casting has been announced.
THE PITTS (FOX) - The network has passed on the animated project, a revival of the short-lived 2003 live-action series of the same name about the unluckiest family in the world. The network went through two table reads of the half-hour before ultimately deciding to not move forward. 20th Century Fox Television nevertheless is already shopping the project to other networks, including ABC as a potential companion to its upcoming effort "The Goode Family." Julie Thacker-Scully and Mike Scully are behind "The Pitts," whose voice cast includes Allison Janney, Andy Milonakis, Dylan Baker and Lizzy Caplan.
VIRTUALITY (FOX) - "Friday Night Lights" creator Peter Berg has signed on to direct and executive produce the two-hour drama pilot, about a long-term NASA mission and a limitless world of virtual reality. "Battlestar Galactica's" Ronald Moore and Michael Taylor co-created the project, which is set up at Universal Media Studios. Berg's Film 44 producing partner Sarah Aubrey will also serve as an executive producer, where she'll join Moore, Taylor and BermanBraun's Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[05/09/25 - 01:18 PM]
ABC News Announces Primetime Special on the Historic Election of the First-Ever American Pope
The one-hour special, "The American Pope: Leo XIV - A Special Edition of 20/20," airs tonight, Friday, May 9 on ABC.
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[05/09/25 - 12:30 PM]
FOX Greenlights "The Faithful," A Powerful Three-Week Biblical Event Series, for Broadcast Spring of 2026
This landmark drama is based on The Old Testament's Book of Genesis and told through the eyes of the courageous and passionate, yet flawed women whose descendants would shape three of the world's great faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
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[05/09/25 - 12:01 PM]
ID Announces May 19 Premiere Date for "Trapped: What Is Happening to Wendy Williams?"
The hour-long special presented by "Extra" will premiere Monday, May 19 at 8:00/7:00c on ID and will be available to stream on Max.
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[05/09/25 - 11:00 AM]
FOX Greenlights "Best Medicine," An Irreverent Medical Series Based on the Critically Acclaimed Global Hit "Doc Martin"
Wholly owned by FOX Entertainment, the series comes from executive producers Ben Silverman, Rodney Ferrell, Liz Tuccillo, Mark Crowdy and Philippa Braithwaite, and is set to debut in the 2025-2026 season.
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[05/09/25 - 10:01 AM]
Peacock Announces a Compelling, Heartwarming and Villainous Slate of New Unscripted Series
New series greenlights include "Tiffany Haddish Goes Off" and "Nelly & Ashanti: We Belong Together;" a third season of "House of Villains," along with true crime documentaries "Gilgo Beach Killer: The House of Secrets" and "The Idaho Student Murders" as well as "Epic Ride: The Story of Universal Theme Parks" docuseries.
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[05/09/25 - 10:01 AM]
Video: BET+ Original Movie - "Onyx"
Three friends try and escape the daily grind and support their friend recovering from a bad breakup by going on a rural Arizona adventure camp when they inadvertently get caught in an alien invasion.
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[05/09/25 - 09:04 AM]
Season Two of the Max Original Series "Peacemaker," From DC Studios, Debuts August 21
John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Holland, Freddie Stroma, Steve Agee, and Robert Patrick return for season two.
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[05/09/25 - 08:51 AM]
Peacock Announces Series Pickup of Seth MacFarlane's "Ted" Animated Spin-Off
MacFarlane, Mark Wahlberg, Amanda Seyfried and Jessica Barth will all reprise their roles from the film franchise.
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[05/09/25 - 08:19 AM]
Now Filming: Hulu Original Series "Rivals" Season 2
The drama returns with an extended season of 12 episodes - and even more wit, desire, and dramatic twists.
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[05/09/25 - 07:01 AM]
"A Man on the Inside" Season 2 - Now in Production!
Created by Mike Schur, season two will see Charles (Ted Danson) going undercover at a college.
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[05/09/25 - 06:02 AM]
Lifetime Greenlights New Original Movie, "Pretty Hurts," Starring Haylie Duff, Sarah Borne, and Kaci Barker Premiering June 28 Brought to You by GSK
The film includes a storyline that highlights meningococcal disease, known as meningitis, to help educate parents of teens and young adults about the uncommon, but potentially life-threatening illness for which 16- to 23-year-olds are at increased risk.
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[05/09/25 - 05:01 AM]
Netflix Announces Its First-Ever Nordic Medical Drama Starring Sara Khorami in the Lead Role
At the emergency ward, it doesn't matter who you are - rich or poor, influencer, carpenter, or minister.
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[05/08/25 - 05:01 PM]
SO JI-SUB Returns with Cold and Intense Noir Action Series "Mercy for None", Premiering June 6
Joining him are Huh Joon-ho, Gong Myoung, Choo Young Woo, An Kil-kang, Tiger Lee, Cho Han-cheul, along with special appearances by Cha Seung Won and Lee Jun-hyuk.
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[05/08/25 - 01:01 PM]
Video: "The Survivors" - Official Trailer - Netflix
15 years ago, the loss of three young people tore this sleepy seaside town apart. Now, the mysterious death of a young woman dredges up the past.
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[05/08/25 - 12:59 PM]
Lifetime Announces New Original Movie "Dateless to Dangerous: My Son's Secret Life" Starring Jodie Sweetin, Alexander Elliot and Nikki Roumel Premiering June 21
The gripping drama deals with teens as they navigate identity, acceptance, social alienation and explores the rising subculture of incels - usually involuntarily celibate men.
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