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[03/22/11 - 11:11 PM]
Development Update: Tuesday, March 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!
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.
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[02/23/26 - 01:08 PM]
Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao Saturday, September 19 Live Globally Only on Netflix
Two of the greatest icons in boxing history will meet again in the first-ever professional boxing match at Sphere in Las Vegas.
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[02/23/26 - 12:07 PM]
Hulu Greenlights "The X-Files" Pilot from Ryan Coogler and Proximity Media, Starring Danielle Deadwyler
The truth is officially out there.
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[02/23/26 - 12:00 PM]
CBS Series Post Strong Fall Viewership, Topping Broadcast and Streaming Rankings in Live + 35-Day Multiplatform Viewership
The CBS fall lineup scored eight of the top 10 most-watched series among broadcast competition and nine of the top 20 most-watched series among all broadcast and streaming competition for this season's episodes airing through January 4, 2026.
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[02/23/26 - 11:16 AM]
Acclaimed Comedian Druski to Serve as Special Commentator for NBC's "The Voice: Battle of Champions"
Druski joins the four-time Emmy Award-winning musical competition series as its first-ever commentator, drawing from his love of music to offer unique takes on the coaches' strategy as they vie for the win.
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[02/23/26 - 10:20 AM]
The Book of More-Men Is Officially Open - "The Bachelorette" Premieres Sunday, March 22, at 8/7c
22 men will answer the call for Taylor Frankie Paul when the 22nd season of "The Bachelorette" premieres Sunday, March 22.
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[02/23/26 - 10:01 AM]
What's New on HBO Max This March
Catch the debuts of the limited series "DTF St. Louis," comedy series "Rooster," and a new season of "The Comeback."
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[02/23/26 - 09:31 AM]
Multiple Academy Award Winning Composer Hans Zimmer to Score Netflix Thriller Series "All the Sinners Bleed"
"'All the Sinners Bleed' lives in the tension between faith, violence and redemption, the kind of moral complexity where music speaks most powerfully," said Zimmer.
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[02/23/26 - 09:00 AM]
Harry Styles to Take the Stage as "Saturday Night Live" Host and Musical Guest on March 14
As previously announced, "SNL" returns this Saturday, February 28 with host Connor Storrie and musical guest Mumford & Sons.
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[02/23/26 - 08:01 AM]
HBO Documentary Films Acquires Worldwide TV and Streaming Rights to "The Slightest Touch"
The documentary will debut on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max globally, including in the UK and Ireland, later this year.
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[02/23/26 - 08:01 AM]
Apple TV Unveils First Look at Season Two of "Wonder Pets: In the City"
Season two sees the return of the heroic trio of classroom pets who live in a kindergarten in New York City and travel all around the globe in their amazing "Jetcar" to rescue animals in musical, mini-opera-themed adventures.
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[02/23/26 - 08:00 AM]
ESPN Signs American Tennis Legend Andy Roddick to Multi-Year Analyst Deal
Roddick, who retired in 2012 from professional tennis, will join ESPN's tennis commentator roster just prior to Wimbledon.
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[02/23/26 - 07:11 AM]
ESPN Original Series "NWSL: The Final Third" to Premiere February 25
The three-episode series, produced by Words + Pictures, Omaha Productions and ESPN, follows Angel City FC, Washington Spirit and Kansas City Current through a defining NWSL season.
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[02/23/26 - 07:01 AM]
Apple TV Sets New Thriller "Unconditional" to Premiere Friday May 8
"Unconditional" follows a mother-daughter vacation-turned-nightmare when 23-year-old Gali (Talia Lynne Ronn) is arrested for drug smuggling in Moscow.
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[02/23/26 - 06:01 AM]
"Wednesday" Season 3 Is Now in Production - Winona Ryder, Chris Sarandon, Noah Taylor and More Join the All-Star Cast
They join previously announced Eva Green who will portray Morticia Addams' sister, Ophelia, as well as returners Jenna Ortega, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzmán and more.
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[02/20/26 - 09:31 PM]
Video: "Accused" - Official Trailer - Netflix
An anonymous message. And Meera & Geetika's lives on a knife's edge.
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