 |
 |
[03/22/11 - 11:11 PM]
Development Update: Tuesday, March 22
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!
BIRD DOG/THE RABBIT FACTORY (TNT) - On the heels of ordering the Eric McCormack-led drama "Perception" to series, the cable channel has reportedly passed on the other two drama pilots from said development cycle. "Bird Dog," from writer/director Mike Robe and Warner Horizon Television, revolved around an unlikely partnership between two cops (Gerald McRaney, Ashley Williams) who happen to be father and daughter. "The Rabbit Factory," from writer Alan Loeb and Lionsgate Television, tracked a recently widowed police detective (Steven Weber) and his newly married partner (D.L. Hughley) as they delve into a world of mystery, intrigue and occasional hijinks. Currently in the pipe at TNT are the "Dallas" reboot as well as the cast-contingent "Generations."
BOSS (Starz) - Connie Nielsen ("Law & Order: Special Victims Unit") has joined the cast of the upcoming drama, about Thomas Kane (Kesley Grammer), "the mayor of Chicago who is diagnosed with a degenerative mental condition that only he and his doctor know about." She'll play his wife, Meredith ("suited, immaculately groomed"), whom his marriage has disintegrated to the point they only speak in public. Gus Van Sant is directing the pilot to the Lionsgate Television-based hour, from writer Farhad Safinia.
DAMAGES (DirecTV) - Judd Hirsch ("NUMB3RS") is the latest actor set to recur on the show's upcoming fourth season. He'll play a former mentor of Patty's (Glenn Close), "a man who took her under his wing during her first job out of law school," but now spends his time "at the bottom of a bottle." Other new additions this season include Chris Messina, Dylan Baker and John Goodman.
FREE AGENTS (NBC) - Natasha Leggero ("Last Comic Standing") has been cast in the comedy pilot, about "two quirky co-workers - Alex (Hank Azaria) and Helen (Kathryn Hahn) on the rebound who are attracted to one another." She'll play Emma, Alex's opinionated executive assistant. Mo Mandel co-stars in the Universal Media Studios-based half-hour, which Todd Holland is directing from a script by John Enbom.
MAD MEN (AMC) - Matthew Weiner is reportedly on track to sign a new deal with producer Lionsgate Television to continue as showrunner of the Emmy-winning series. Said negotiations will likely push the start of production by several weeks, potentially bumping its usual summer debut into the fall or beyond. No other details were given.
THE RIVER (ABC) - Daniel Zacapa has scored a role on the drama pilot, about the search in the Amazon for Emmet Cole (Bruce Greenwood), a missing TV explorer, led by his wife Tess (Leslie Hope) and son Lincoln (Joe Anderson). He'll play Emilio Valenzuela, who along with his daughter Jahel (Paulina Gaitan), run the engine room of the S.S. Hopewell, the vessel spearheading the search. Eloise Mumford, Paul Blackthorne, Shaun Parkes and Thomas Kretschmann also star. Meanwhile, Zack Estrin ("No Ordinary Family") has joined the project as part of an overall deal with producer ABC Studios. There he'll serve as an executive producer alongside showrunner Michael Green and ultimately take over said post for the back nine of its presumed freshman run. Green, who's based at 20th Century Fox Television, will then transition back to development. Should the pilot not get ordered to series, Estrin will join another ABC Studios-based property.
UNTITLED SUSANNAH GRANT PROJECT (CBS) - "Law & Order" alumnus S. Epatha Merkerson has joined the cast of the drama pilot, about Michael Halstead (Patrick Wilson), an ultra-competitive surgeon whose life is changed forever when his ex-wife, Anna Lindberg (Jennifer Ehle), dies and begins teaching him what life is all about from the hereafter. She'll play Rita, Michael's "don't cross her" assistant. Afton Williamson and Julie Benz also star in the CBS Television Studios-based hour, to be directed by Jonathan Demme.
|
|
|
 [march 2011]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[01/29/26 - 07:01 AM]
ESPN Films' Latest 30 for 30 "The Philly Special" to Premiere February 6
"The Philly Special" tells the story of the moment that propelled the Eagles to an upset win over the Patriots for their first Super Bowl title in 2018, told through the perspectives of the players, coaches, and fans who experienced it.
|
[01/29/26 - 07:00 AM]
From the Courtroom to the Office: "Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat" Premiering on Prime Video March 20
The documentary-style comedy captures a corporate offsite event at a family-owned hot sauce company from the perspective of Anthony, a recently hired temporary worker.
|
[01/29/26 - 06:01 AM]
Peacock's New Sports Docuseries "Field Generals: History of the Black Quarterback" Premieres on Thursday, Feb. 5
The four-part sports docuseries documents the stories of the trailblazing and pioneering quarterbacks who transformed the game - from the AFL-NFL merger through the turn of the century.
|
[01/29/26 - 12:01 AM]
"Love Is Blind: Sweden" Returns for a Third Season - Premiering on March 12
Viewers will once again be reunited with Jessica Almenäs who will host the reality dating show.
|
[01/28/26 - 10:31 PM]
Extraordinary Crime Mysteries, Mythical Worlds and High-Stakes Psychological Thrillers: Inside Netflix's 2026 Chinese-Language Slate
This year's lineup showcases the breadth of Chinese-language storytelling, from fantasy spectacles to intimate character dramas, alongside exciting takes on action, mystery and comedy.
|
[01/28/26 - 08:31 PM]
Video: "Kohrra" Season 2 - Official Trailer - Netflix
The mist descends once more - this time over Dalerpura, a town with no clear answers and far too many whispers.
|
[01/28/26 - 04:01 PM]
Video: "Agents of Mystery" Season 2 - Official Teaser - Netflix
The game isn't over. It just got smarter.
|
[01/28/26 - 02:31 PM]
Netflix's "The Lincoln Lawyer" Renewed for Fifth Season Ahead of the Fourth Season Debut
The fifth season will consist of 10 episodes, inspired by the seventh book in The Lincoln Lawyer series, "Resurrection Walk," by author Michael Connelly.
|
[01/28/26 - 02:01 PM]
Netflix Announces New Scripted Series "Breakers" with Antony Starr as Lead
Two best friends go backpacking in Australia and are soon drawn into a seemingly perfect community of surfers led by a charismatic but mysterious figure.
|
[01/28/26 - 12:00 PM]
Grammy Awards to Pay Tribute to Lost Musical Icons in Touching "In Memoriam" Segment
Reba McEntire will be joined by Brandy Clark and Lukas Nelson to pay tribute to those we've recently lost in the creative community, featuring just some of the musical icons who have passed away this year.
|
[01/28/26 - 11:01 AM]
What Next? Netflix Presents the Latest German-Speaking Series, Films and Non-Fction Highlights, Live in Berlin
The diverse 2026 line-up includes the highly anticipated thriller "The Trap," the third and final season of the international hit series "The Empress," the star-studded comedy "The Birthday Gift," and the third season of "Kaulitz & Kaulitz" featuring the popular twins, among other titles.
|
[01/28/26 - 10:01 AM]
HBO Original Limited Series "DTF St. Louis," Starring Jason Bateman, David Harbour, and Linda Cardellini, Debuts March 1
A limited series about a love triangle between three adults experiencing middle-age malaise that leads to one of them ending up dead.
|
[01/28/26 - 09:32 AM]
Video: Tubi's YA Original Film "Kissing Is the Easy Part" Reveals Official Trailer
The film tells the story of a straight-A overachiever (Asher Angel) who makes a deal to tutor a popular wild child (Paris Berelc) in exchange for a college recommendation letter to his dream school, but when sparks fly, school is the least of their problems.
|
[01/28/26 - 09:02 AM]
Video: Trailer & Key Art Debut - Hulu's "Paradise" Season 2
The second season of the Emmy Award-nominated series premieres Monday, February 23 with three episodes, followed by new episodes weekly on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally.
|
[01/28/26 - 08:33 AM]
HGTV Takes Viewers on an Epic Road Trip Across America in New Series "Wild Vacation Rentals" Premiering Monday, March 2, at 10 p.m. ET/PT
America's most extraordinary vacation homes - from a bird's nest to a grain silo and a potato house to an old western town - will be on tap for actresses and comedians Sherry Cola and D'Arcy Carden when HGTV sends them on an epic girls' trip of a lifetime.
|
|
|
|
