 |
 |
[03/10/10 - 12:03 AM]
Development Update: Wednesday, March 10
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC) |
|
|
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!
DEFENDERS (CBS) - Jerry O'Connell has booked a lead role on the drama pilot, about "two fiery Las Vegas defense attorneys (O'Connell, Jim Belushi) who go to the mat for their clients." He'll play Pete Kaczmarek, one half of Mancini-Kaczmarek, "a fancy guy and a player." Jurnee Smollett and Tanya Fischer co-star in the CBS Television Studios-based hour, which comes from director Davis Guggenheim and co-creators Kevin Kennedy and Niels Mueller. O'Connell is also featured as Bruce Sweet in the NBC drama pilot "Rex Is Not Your Lawyer."
LEAPFROG (ABC) - Debra Jo Rupp ("That '70s Show") has scored a role on the comedy pilot, about two sisters (Joanna Garcia, Jennifer Finnigan) at different stages in their romantic relationships. She'll play Vicky Putney, the girls' "well-groomed, a bit intimidating" mother. Shana Goldberg-Meehan is behind the half-hour, which is set up at Warner Bros. Television.
NIKITA (The CW) - Melinda Clarke ("The O.C.") and Aaron Stanford ("Traveler") have both signed onto the drama pilot, a reworking of the "La Femme Nikita" franchise. She'll play Amanda, a division operative tasked with educating the newly recruited Alex (yet to be cast) in how to use her femininity to her advantage. Stanford then is on board as Birkhoff, a computer specialist who enjoys Red Bull, potato chips and watching skateboarding bloopers on YouTube. Maggie Q and Shane West also star in the hour, which comes from Warner Bros. Television. Danny Cannon is directing from a script by Craig Silverstein.
PERFECT COUPLES (NBC) - Mary Elizabeth Ellis ("It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia") and Hayes MacArthur ("Worst Week") are the latest additions to the comedy pilot, about three couples at various stages of their relationships. She's believed to be playing Amy ("attractive and kind, but flighty and unfocused"), the girlfriend of the previously cast David Walton. They're billed as the "too much passion" couple. MacArthur then is set as Rex ("handsome, successful, but way more self-assured than is warranted"), the boyfriend of the previously cast Olivia Munn. They in turn are labeled as the "perfect couple." Yet to be cast are Dave and Julia, "the cool, regular couple you see yourself in." Andy Ackerman is directing the Universal Media Studios-based half-hour from a script by Jon Pollack and Scott Silveri.
PLEADING GUILTY (FOX) - Madchen Amick ("Damages") has landed a role on the drama pilot, about Mack Malloy (Jason Isaacs), "an ex-cop and recovering alcoholic now serving as a partner in a top-drawer corporate law firm." She'll play Amelia "Brushy" Bruccia, "Mack's tough colleague and the firm's top criminal defense attorney who is having an affair with him." The script details her as follows: "If she wasn't so beautiful, people would call her spunky. With these looks, she's a force of nature. Brilliant, wry, alpha tough, enough to intimidate most men. But not Mack. At least, not usually." Jason Tracey penned the 20th Century Fox Television-based hour, which Jon Avnet is directing.
THE QUINN-TUPLETS (CBS) - Anna Chlumsky ("Cupid") has joined the cast of the drama pilot, about the personal and professional lives of adult quintuplets, whose whole lives have been documented on TV. She'll play the sole remaining quintuplet, Rachel, "a bright, bottle-blonde" local sportscaster. Amber Tamblyn, David Giantoli, Juliette Goglia, Kenneth Mitchell and Sam Witwer also star in the project, which comes from CBS Television Studios. Mimi Leder is directing off a script by Chris Kelley and Mike Kelley.
ROUGH JUSTICE (NBC) - Jimmy Smits ("Dexter") has signed on to topline the drama pilot, about "a Supreme Court Justice who excuses himself from the bench to go into private practice and fight constitutional injustices." He'll play Cyrus Garza, said man, who's not above one-night stands and placing a wager on the Wizards. Smits will also serve as a co-executive producer on the hour, which Terry George is directing from a script by John Eisendrath. Jesse Bradford also stars while Conaco Productions and Universal Media Studios are co-producing.
TAX MAN (FOX) - Judy Greer ("Miss Guided") has joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about an IRS office in Fresno, California. She'll play Vanessa Redland, "a former Morgan Stanley secretary, nicknamed the 'Terminator,' who joins the branch." Greer, who also stars in FX's "Archer" and Nick at Nite's "Glenn Martin, DDS," joins the previously cast David Krumholtz. Brent Forrester penned the half-hour, to be helmed by Fred Savage. The project is set up at 20th Century Fox Television-based Imagine Television.
THIS LITTLE PIGGY (NBC) - Brooke Bloom ("CSI: Miami") and Vanessa Minnillo ("True Beauty") are the latest additions to the comedy pilot, about two adult siblings who move in with Henry, their eldest brother (Ben Koldyke), after he inherits their parents' large, rambling house. Bloom will play Janet, the man's flighty sister, while Minnillo is set as Tina, the wife of Henry's materialistic brother Eric. Rebecca Creskoff and Brandy Norwood originated said roles in its previous incarnation at ABC. Erinn Hayes also stars in the ABC Studios-based half-hour, which comes from co-creators Brian Bradley and Steven Cragg. Ted Wass is directing.
TRUE LOVE (CBS) - Jason Biggs ("My Best Friend's Girl"), Dan Fogler ("Balls of Fury") and Sarah Wright ("The Loop") have each landed roles in the comedy pilot, about a group of twentysomethings in New York looking for love. He'll play one of them, Henry Parr, a lawyer who's billed "Prince Charming" by the local papers after talking down a jumper from the top of the Empire State Building. Fogler then is set as Larry Meyer ("chubby, bearded, and looking miserable"), Henry's best-friend and co-worker. Rounding out the cast then is Wright as Tiffany McDermott ("very young, Playboy Playmate type"), the nanny of Ashley Austin Morris's character. Minka Kelly and Hal Williams also star in the half-hour, which Pamela Fryman is helming off a script by Matt Tarses. CBS Television Studios, FanFare Productions and Sony Pictures Television are producing.
UNTITLED MEDICAL PROJECT (CBS) - Jay Hernandez ("Six Degrees") and Michael Beach ("Stargate: Atlantis") have booked roles on the drama pilot, about "a mobile medical team traveling the U.S. helping people in need." Hernandez is reportedly playing Paul O'Brian ("handsome and preppy"), the group's OB/GYN, with Beach as Pen Favinger, "a cowboy type with a big heart." Amy Smart, Janeane Garofalo and Rachelle Lefevre co-star in the hour, which comes from director Christopher Chulack and writer Hannah Shakespeare. John Wells Productions and Warner Bros. Television are producing.
WILDE KINGDOM (FOX) - Keri Russell ("Felicity") is on track to return to the small screen as the actress is reportedly in negotiations to star in the comedy pilot, about a Beverly Hills jackass who falls in love with a charitable tree-hugging woman who can't stand his lifestyle or values." She'll play the woman in question, details of which weren't specified. Arnett, Jim Vallely and Mitch Hurwitz co-created the half-hour, which Hurwitz is also directing. Lionsgate Television, Principato-Young Entertainment and Tantamount are co-producing.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
|
|
|
 [march 2010]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[11/24/25 - 03:18 PM]
FX Orders Anthology Series "Far Cry" to Stream on Hulu
The limited series from Noah Hawley and Rob Mac, with Mac set in the starring role, is based on Ubisoft's global hit video game franchise of the same title and the series will retain "Far Cry's" signature standalone storytelling format, with each season set in a new setting following a new cast of characters.
|
[11/24/25 - 03:01 PM]
Netflix's "One Piece" Season 3 Begins Production & Four Cast Members Upped to Series Regulars
Mikaela Hoover (Chopper), Joe Manganiello (Mr. 0), Lera Abova (Miss All Sunday) and Sendhil Ramamurthy (Nefartari Cobra) have been upped to series regulars for Season 3.
|
[11/24/25 - 02:08 PM]
The Nader Sisters Will Take a Second Bite Out of the Big Apple as "Love Thy Nader" Is Renewed for Season Two on Hulu and Freeform
The bold coming-of-age reality series follows the unapologetic and determined Nader sisters - Brooks, Mary Holland, Grace Ann and Sarah Jane - who left their humble beginnings in the Louisiana bayou for the glamour and grind of New York City.
|
[11/24/25 - 02:01 PM]
Video: Meet the Unfiltered Cast of Reality Dating Series "Badly in Love" as Trailer Debuts
In Japan's first dating show for rebellious yankiis, 11 singles butt heads, forge bonds and live together for 14 days as they go all out to find the one.
|
[11/24/25 - 11:10 AM]
BET+ Original Film "Never Alone for Christmas: Memphis" Premieres Thursday, December 11
The film stars Melissa L. Williams, Juhahn Jones, K. Michelle, Chris Sakyi, and Tom Arnold.
|
[11/24/25 - 11:03 AM]
"WWE Survivor Series: WarGames" to Exclusively Stream in U.S. on ESPN App This Saturday November 29
Said event will feature the biggest Men's "WarGames" match ever as WWE Superstars Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar, WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes will participate.
|
[11/24/25 - 10:31 AM]
Original Series "All's Fair" Renewed for a Second Season
Season one launched on November 4 and became the biggest Hulu original scripted series premiere in three years, based on the first three days of streaming.
|
[11/24/25 - 10:02 AM]
BritBox Gets Ready to Rock: Sally Wainwright Original Series "Riot Women" Premieres January 14
Other upcoming highlights include: "Death in Paradise" and "Beyond Paradise" Christmas specials; and "Shetland" returns for its milestone tenth season.
|
[11/24/25 - 10:01 AM]
HBO Original Documentary "Music Box: Wizkid: Long Live Lagos" Debuts December 11
The film explores how art and music have the power to shift global perception and awareness through the story of Nigerian superstar Wizkid as he prepares for his groundbreaking performance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England.
|
[11/24/25 - 09:08 AM]
Video: "Masterpiece" Winter/Spring 2026 Preview
"All Creatures Great and Small," "Miss Scarlet," "The Forsytes," and "The Count of Monte Cristo" are on tap in the coming months.
|
[11/24/25 - 09:04 AM]
Video: "Jingle Bell Wedding" - Official Trailer - The Roku Channel
A New Year's Eve wedding is in the works for Jack (Joey McIntyre) and Jessica (Michelle Morgan) in this sequel to "Jingle Bell Love."
|
[11/24/25 - 09:00 AM]
AMC+ Original Series "Sanctuary: A Witch's Tale" Returns December 25 with an Alluring Second Season
The suspenseful six-episode drama, based on the novel by V.V. James, follows four women, a wicked secret, and a murder investigation that shakes Sanctuary, an idyllic English town, to the core.
|
[11/24/25 - 08:58 AM]
Video: First Extended Trailer for the Highly Anticipated Drama "Y: Marshals" Starring Luke Grimes, Reprising His Role of Kayce Dutton, Now Available
With the Yellowstone Ranch behind him, Dutton joins an elite unit of U.S. Marshals, combining his skills as a cowboy and Navy SEAL to bring range justice to Montana.
|
[11/24/25 - 08:01 AM]
Season Four of the HBO Original Drama Series "Industry" Debuts January 11
At the top of their game and living the lives they set out to have as Pierpoint grads, Harper (Myha'la) and Yasmin (Marisa Abela) are drawn into a high stakes, globetrotting cat-and-mouse game when a splashy fintech darling bursts onto the London scene.
|
[11/24/25 - 08:01 AM]
Game On! Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson's "Good Sports" to Kick Off First Episode with Guests Serena Williams, Rich Eisen, and Kaylee Hartung
Prime Video also confirmed that Jerry O'Connell and Bobby Moynihan would appear in the series' first field pieces.
|
|
|
|
