|
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 CLOSER (TNT) - The cable channel is reportedly eyeing a spin-off of the successful drama, about a deputy police chief (Kyra Sedgwick) who has a love-hate relationship with junk food. Specifics about the project however have yet to be released, such whether or not it will focus on any existing "Closer" characters. James Duff and Adam Belanoff are penning the script to the project, referred to as "The Fixer," from a story by Duff, Belanoff and Michael Berchem. The former pair then will executive produce alongside Michael M. Robin and Greer Shephard for Warner Bros. Television.
THE LOST SON (A&E, New!) - Charles Murray ("Criminal Minds") has signed a blind two-script deal with ABC Studios. "The Lost Son" is the first project out of the pact, a drama centering on a city commissioner for A&E. Murray was also behind "Under," a Henry Thomas-led drama pilot at the network last season. Thom Beers's Original Productions is co-producing the hour, which will revolve around a cop who suddenly jumps 15 levels to become the new commissioner of a large city but continues doing police work at night, including his mother's murder. Murray, Beers and Original's Philip Segal are all serving as executive producers.
THE SHARK TANK (ABC, New!) - Reality guru Mark Burnett is looking to import the Japanese reality format "Dragon's Den." The Alphabet and Sony Pictures Television have commissioned a pilot to the project, which features aspiring entrepreneurs pitching their business ideas to moguls ("the sharks") in hopes of landing investment funds. BBC America is currently airing the U.K. take on the format.
SWINGTOWN (CBS) - Creator/executive producer Mike Kelley has inked a two-year, seven-figure overall deal with producer CBS Paramount Network Television. The pact calls for him to develop new series projects for the studio, including "BiCoastal" for Showtime. Said hour, whose concept was conceived by Doug Stockstill, centers on a successful man who struggles to balance family life with his wife and kids in Los Angeles as he falls in love with a man in New York. Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner are executive producing the project via their studio-based Hazy Mills Productions banner while fellow "Swingtown" alum Alan Poul is in negotiations to direct. As for "Swingtown," the period drama isn't expected to return to CBS however no final decision has been made. CBS Paramount Network Television has also been exploring the possibility of migrating the drama to cable.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
|
