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[07/22/10 - 06:07 PM]
Development Update: Thursday, July 22
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!
ALPHAS (Syfy) - Warren Christie ("October Road") has joined the cast of the drama pilot, about a team of ordinary citizens who possess extraordinary and unusual mental skills. He'll play Christian Hicks, "a new recruit on the team with a history of psychological problems, drug abuse and an anti-authoritarian streak whose Alpha skill is hyperkinesis - near-perfect dexterity and hand/eye coordination." David Strathairn and Ryan Cartwright also star in the 90-minute project, which Jack Bender is directing from a script by Michael Karnow and Zak Penn.
BLUE BLOODS (CBS) - Andrea Roth ("Rescue Me") is set to recur on the freshman drama, about a family of cops in New York City. She'll play co-star Selleck's reporter love interest in the project, a role originated by Wendy Moniz in the pilot. No reason was given for the change.
BURN NOTICE (USA) - Jeff Wachtel, the network's programming chief, announced at the show's panel at the San Diego Comic-Con, a two-hour prequel film has been ordered for the franchise. Said effort will track Bruce Campbell's character, Sam Axe, on his final mission in South America before retiring from the military. Executive producer Matt Nix hopes to film the project in South America however no other production details have been confirmed.
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (ABC) - Emily Bergl ("Men in Trees") is reportedly close to booking a recurring role on the veteran soap. She'd play Beth, "the fragile soul who married Paul (Mark Moses) while he was behind bars." No other specifics were given.
FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS (NBC) - Zach Cregger ("The Whitest Kids U'Know") has been added the cast of the midseason comedy, about a group of twenty-something singles as they navigate the difficult, and often confusing, world of dating. He'll play Aaron, "a nerdy but cute hopeless romantic who is worth $12 million after selling an algorithm to Google." Fran Kranz originated the role in the pilot. The news completes the recasting on the series: Andre Holland was likewise brought on to replace Ian Reed Kesler as Hoon.
HISTORY OF MUSIC (HBO, New!) - "Boardwalk Empire" collaborators Martin Scorsese and Terence Winter are developing a new drama at the pay channel which follows two friends through 40 years in the music business, from the early days of R&B to contemporary hip-hop. Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger originated the concept, which was eyed as a feature film at Paramount with Scorsese directing from a script by William Monahan ("The Departed"). HBO subsequently approached the studio about bringing it to the small screen. Winter then will pen the pilot script with Scorsese directing. Jagger and his Jagged Films partner Victoria Pearman will executive produce alongside the duo.
LIE TO ME (FOX) - Monique Curnen ("The Unusuals") is set to recur on the show's third season. She'll play Detective Wallowski, "a great cop with a street edge and a fast subversive mind who becomes a sexual interest for Dr. Cal Lightman (Tim Roth), and drives a wedge between him and Dr. Gillian Foster (Kelli Williams)."
MAD MEN (AMC) - The cable channel and producer Lionsgate Television are reportedly close to a long-term renewal of their Emmy-winning drama. Currently under contract through its fifth season, said pickup would take the series through at least season six - due in 2012. It's understood Lionsgate wants to lock up the series as soon as possible in order to begin negotiations with creator Matthew Weiner, whose deal with the studio is up after the upcoming season.
OFF THE MAP (ABC) - Rachelle Lefevre has joined the cast of the midseason drama, about doctors in a tiny town in the South American jungle which has one understaffed, under-stocked medical clinic. She'll play a new staff member however no details were given about her character.
TRUE BLOOD (HBO) - Joe Manganiello has been upped to series regular for the show's fourth season, due next year. The actor recurs as werewolf Alcide Herveaux in its current season, which wraps on September 12.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[08/29/25 - 10:46 AM]
National Geographic Documentary Films Announces Global Acquisition of Streaming Rights to Werner Herzog Documentary "Ghost Elephants" Following Venice World Premiere
The documentary will make its U.S. premiere at the Telluride Film Festival this weekend.
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[08/29/25 - 10:08 AM]
"Prison Break" Turns 20: Executive Producer Dawn Olmstead Curates Episode Collections on Hulu
It's been 20 years since Michael Scofield entered Fox River State Penitentiary on a mission: break brother Lincoln out.
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[08/29/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "French Lover" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When a jaded actor meets a down-on-her-luck waitress in Paris, their unexpected love story begins - but will it survive the glare of the spotlight?
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[08/29/25 - 08:02 AM]
Video: Prime Video Unveils Paris Trailer and New Cast for the Final Episodes of "The Summer I Turned Pretty"
Joining the series in recurring roles are Corinna Brown, Fernando Cattori, Isaline Prevost Radeff, and Jahz Armando.
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[08/29/25 - 05:43 AM]
"Sounds of Summer" - Feel-Good, Music-Packed Movie About Swedish Pop Icons Gyllene Tider Makes Exclusive US Debut Thursday, September 18, 2025 on Viaplay
Directed by Per Simonsson and named after the band's most enduring hit, "Sounds of Summer" is a breezy, very inspiring 97-minute ride that follows Gessle from small-town outsider to pop trailblazer.
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[08/29/25 - 03:01 AM]
Video: "RIV4LRIES" - Official Trailer - Netflix
At a middle school in Pisa, no one has ever challenged the cool kids - until new girl Terry arrives with bold ideas and the rivalries begin.
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[08/29/25 - 02:01 AM]
Video: "Love Is Blind: UK" Season 2 - The Reunion - Official Trailer - Netflix
Who's saying "I still do?" Emma and Matt host this season's couples and special guests as tea is spilled and secrets are revealed in a fiery reunion.
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[08/28/25 - 02:03 PM]
Wonder Project Announces October 5 Streaming Subscription Launch Date on Prime Video and Premiere Date for "House of David" Season Two; Unveils First Look Images of the Hit Drama Series
Season Two of the biblical drama series House of David from Wonder Project and Amazon MGM Studios follows the aftermath of the battle between David and Goliath and David's rise to the throne.
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[08/28/25 - 12:12 PM]
Video: "The Hospital" - A Comedy Improv Sketch Show - Premieres Wednesday, September 10
The Hospital offers a "behind-the-scenes" look at what happens when you mix improv comedy with total medical negligence.
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[08/28/25 - 11:02 AM]
Shudder Launches Biggest Ever Programming Event "Season of Screams" - Featuring a Monster Lineup of New Films, Series and Live Watch Parties on Shudder TV - From September 1 Through December 31
Shudder's "Season of Screams" features highly anticipated films such as the acclaimed Dangerous Animals, a new installment in the popular "V/H/S" franchise - "V/H/S/Halloween" - and the found footage breakout hits "House on Eden" and "Hell House LLC: Lineage."
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[08/28/25 - 11:01 AM]
MGM+ Greenlights "Words + Music," Inspired by the Critically Hailed Audible Original Series, Featuring Grammy Winners Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, John Legend and Alanis Morissette
"Words + Music" is set to premiere this fall on MGM+ in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.
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[08/28/25 - 10:06 AM]
ESPN Unveils Deep Roster of NBA Game Commentators for 2025-26 Season
Veteran analyst Tim Legler will join ESPN's lead NBA broadcast team, which includes Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame broadcaster Mike Breen, analyst and NBA Champion Richard Jefferson and reporter Lisa Salters.
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[08/28/25 - 10:05 AM]
HBO Original Two-Part Documentary "Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television" Debuts September 9
The project takes audiences on a two-part journey through the history of Black representation on television, showcasing how Black artists and creators both shaped and revolutionized the medium while confronting the systemic challenges that have often undermined their contributions.
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[08/28/25 - 10:01 AM]
Video: National Geographic Documentary Films Unveils Trailer for "Lost in the Jungle," the Unbelievable Story of Four Indigenous Children Who Survived a Plane Crash in the Amazon, Ahead of World Premiere at Telluride Film Festival
For the first time ever, the four Indigenous children who survived the Colombian plane crash on May 1, 2023 - and then endured 40 days alone in the jungle - share their extraordinary story of survival, told in their own words.
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[08/28/25 - 09:38 AM]
Video: Tubi Debuts Trailer for Stand-Up Comedy Special "Rel Talk" from Lil Rel Howery
"It feels amazing to bring this special to my city, my people, and now to the millions of folks watching on Tubi," said Howery.
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