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[11/30/09 - 06:24 PM]
Development Update: Monday, November 30
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!
COUGAR TOWN (ABC) - Ryan Devlin ("Veronica Mars") has scored a recurring role on the freshman comedy. He'll play Smith, a love interest for Busy Phillipps's character. Further details about his character however weren't released.
FUNNY IN FARSI (ABC) - Barry Sonnenfeld ("Pushing Daisies") has been tapped to direct and executive produce the comedy pilot, based on Firoozeh Dumas's memoir about his experiences growing up in Newport Beach, California during the 1970s. The Alphabet originally issued the project a director-contingent order during its last development cycle. In any case, Sonnenfeld will work from a script by Jeffrey Hodes and Nastaran Dibai ("Rita Rocks") for ABC Studios. His involvement is tied to a first-look deal the director/producer inked with the studio earlier this year. The pact also called for Sonnenfeld to direct two pilots for the studio.
KEEP HOPE ALIVE (FOX) - Garrett Dillahunt ("Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles") has joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about Jimmy (Lucas Neff), "a 25-year-old man raising an infant with the help of his quirky family after the mother of the baby, with whom he had a one-night stand, ends up on death row." He'll play Jimmy's dysfunctional father and boss, "who is not thrilled to find himself a grandfather and worries that the baby might carry her mom's homicidal gene." Martha Plimpton and Olesya Rulin also star in the 20th Century Fox Television-based half-hour, which Michael Fresco is directing from a script by Greg Garcia.
THE MENTALIST (CBS) - Aunjanue Ellis ("E-Ring") has booked a multi-episode arc on the sophomore drama. She'll play the CBI's "beautiful but tough" new boss, who "is brought in to restore discipline and morale to the division after the murder of three agents." Ellis takes over for Gregory Itzin's Virgil Minelli, who is being written out to accommodate the actor's return to "24" later this season. Her first episode will likely air in the spring.
RAISING THE BAR (TNT) - The cable channel has passed on ordering a third season of the legal drama. "Everyone at TNT had a great experience working on 'Raising the Bar' with Steven Bochco and the rest of the show's terrific cast and crew," said the network in a statement. "We're proud of the series and appreciate the efforts of all of the creative people who were involved. Unfortunately, ratings for 'Raising the Bar's' second season did not reach the levels required for TNT to renew the series." The network still has three episodes yet to air of the series however when or if they will be broadcast wasn't specified.
ROOSTER TALES (FOX, New!) - Matthew McConaughey is developing an animated comedy at the network based on the life of his brother Rooster. The project, to be penned by Kell Cahoon ("Psych"), follows "the world of a beer-swilling, redneck sheriff who marries a much younger woman from Mexico [only to realize] he's gained not only a wife but an entire clan - 114 members and counting." McConaughey and Cahoon will executive produce the half-hour alongside Mark Gustawes for the actor's J.K. Livin' Productions. It's understood FOX beat out TBS and Comedy Central for the project, which has a script commitment.
TOUGH TRADE (Epix) - Lucas Black ("The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift") and Cary Elwes ("Disney's A Christmas Carol") have both been cast in the drama pilot, about the Tucker family, "a Nashville music dynasty whose penchant for drink, debauchery and divorce has left it on the verge of bankruptcy." Black will play "an extremely talented guitarist and singer who could have followed in the Tucker legacy started by his grandfather (the previously cast Sam Shepard) and father (Elwes) but has no interest in pursuing a career in country music." Chris Offutt and Jenji Kohan are behind the hour, which is set up at Lionsgate Television.
UNTITLED JASON MANTZOUKAS PROJECT (FOX, New!) - Jason Mantzoukas (NBC's "Off Duty") has landed a script order from the network for a new medical comedy about "a female doctor who is unraveling at the seams." 20th Century Fox Television and The Chernin Co. are behind the half-hour, which Mantzoukas will executive produce alongside Peter Chernin and Katherine Pope.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[12/09/25 - 12:00 PM]
FOX Kicks Off Its Winter Lineup with Special Advance Premiere Dates for New Series "Best Medicine" and Returning Comedy Series "Animal Control" Following FOX NFL Doubleheaders
Plus: look for a two-night premiere event for new drama series "Memory of a Killer," starring Patrick Dempsey and Michael Imperiloi, beginning immediately after the NFC Championship Game.
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[12/09/25 - 10:31 AM]
John Stamos, Dale Dickey, and Cam Gigandet Join "The Hunting Wives" Season 2
The trio joins previously announced new cast members Kim Matula and Alex FitzAlan, alongside returning cast members Brittany Snow, Malin Akerman, Jaime Ray Newman, Dermot Mulroney, Evan Jonigkeit, George Ferrier, Karen Rodriguez, Hunter Emery, and Branton Box.
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[12/09/25 - 10:01 AM]
BET+ Original Film, "A Soulful Christmas," Premieres Thursday, December 25
The film stars Kaci Walfall, Myles Truitt, Shanice, Kenny Lattimore, Taylor Symone, E. Roger Mitchell, Towanda Braxton, KB Holland, Kyler Chavis, Gail Everett-Smith, Gerard Catus, Ryan James, and Elijah Resurreccion.
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[12/09/25 - 09:31 AM]
"The Upshaws" Returns to Netflix on January 15 with Final Season
As Regina makes a run for office and Bennie's garage falls on hard times, the Upshaws will always find a way to keep it real, loud and full of love.
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[12/09/25 - 09:22 AM]
Viaplay January 2026 Exclusive U.S. Premieres: "Sport vs. Money," "Stayer," "The Curse," "Scenes After a Marriage"
"Slayer" follows an aging rock musician forced to confront his greatest challenge when the mother of his child dies tragically - struggling to balance fatherhood, fame, and the haunting choices of his past.
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[12/09/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Official Trailer - "The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball" Season 2
The series, produced by Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe, returns on Monday, December 22 only on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers.
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[12/09/25 - 09:01 AM]
The History Channel's New Series "History's Deadliest with Ving Rhames" to Premiere on Monday, January 26
The 10-part series produced by Propagate Content will reveal the unbelievable details surrounding the world's most prolific and powerful killers.
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[12/09/25 - 08:10 AM]
Roku Originals Hits the Road for Sophia Bush and Lauren Holly Comedy Feature "Broad Trip"
From Muse Entertainment and Motion Content, the film recently wrapped production and will debut on The Roku Channel in May 2026.
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[12/09/25 - 08:09 AM]
FOX Nation Taps Zachary Levi for New Docudrama "David: King of Israel" Slated for Early 2026
Released weekly, the program brings to life the thrilling, turbulent and deeply human story of David, the shepherd boy who rose to become the greatest king in Israel's history, and whom Christians regard as the ancestor of Jesus Christ.
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[12/09/25 - 08:08 AM]
OWN Announces "Maxxed Out": A Bold New Financial Intervention Series Premiering January 10, 2026
This unflinching eight-episode series reveals how money (and mismanaged money) can strain even the strongest relationships.
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[12/09/25 - 08:01 AM]
Tyrese Haliburton Joins "NBA on Prime" as Player Contributor
Haliburton will make his debut tonight on "NBA on Prime's" postgame show, "NBA Nightcap," following the Emirates NBA Cup Quarterfinals doubleheader featuring the Miami Heat at Orlando Magic (6:00 p.m. ET) and New York Knicks at Toronto Raptors (8:30 p.m. ET).
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[12/09/25 - 07:01 AM]
Apple TV Reveals First Look at "Margo's Got Money Troubles" from David E. Kelley
Based on Rufi Thorpe's bestselling novel of the same name, the eight-episode series will premiere globally on Wednesday April 15, 2026 with three episodes, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through May 20, 2026.
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[12/09/25 - 07:01 AM]
Prime Video Reveals First-Look Images and Premiere Date for "56 Days," Starring Dove Cameron and Avan Jogia
All eight episodes will be released on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
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[12/09/25 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Unlocked: A Jail Experiment" - Season 2 Official Trailer - Netflix
At an Arizona correctional facility, a sheriff implements a bold experiment to grant incarcerated men more agency in this eye-opening reality series.
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[12/09/25 - 06:01 AM]
The Game is Afoot! Prime Video Releases First-Look Images for "Young Sherlock" Series
The thrilling series, brought to life by visionary director and executive producer Guy Ritchie, charts the origin story of Sherlock Holmes in an irreverent, action-laden mystery that follows the iconic detective's early adventures.
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