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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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[01/22/26 - 11:01 AM]
CBS Renews 10 Additional Series for the 2026-2027 Season
This brings the total number of series ordered for the 2026-2027 season to 16.
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[01/22/26 - 11:01 AM]
Video: "Jesy Nelson: Life After Little Mix" - Official Trailer - Prime Video
Now she's ready to tell her side of the story...
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[01/22/26 - 10:06 AM]
TNT Sports Announces First Half of 2026 MLB Tuesday Regular Season Schedule on TBS
Come October, TNT Sports will conclude its 53rd year of baseball by providing exclusive coverage of the 2026 American League Division Series presented by Booking.com and 2026 American League Championship Series across its networks and platforms.
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[01/22/26 - 10:01 AM]
Need Another Hockey Fix? "Shoresy" Returns for Season 5 on February 21
In addition, Hulu has announced the pickup of season 6, which will premiere in 2027.
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[01/22/26 - 10:00 AM]
NBA on ABC: "NBA Saturday Primetime Presented by Wingstop" Returns January 24 with Rivals Week Tripleheader
In addition, ABC's "NBA Sunday Showcase presented by Popeyes" returns on February 8 and spotlights marquee Sunday afternoon matchups as the NBA regular season intensifies heading toward the playoffs.
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[01/22/26 - 09:51 AM]
AMC Networks, The Global Leader in Targeted Streaming, Unveils Relaunch of Sundance Now as the Definitive Streaming Home of Independent Film
Following the model of AMC Networks' suite of market-leading specialty streamers, Sundance Now will provide a hand-selected, algorithm-free offering curated by and for independent film enthusiasts.
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[01/22/26 - 09:06 AM]
Paramount+ Original Comedy Series "Can You Keep a Secret?" to Premiere on February 12
The hit British series follows a domineering granny who fakes her husband's death for the insurance money - only for her family to discover that the biggest threat isn't the law, but her.
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[01/22/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord" - Official Teaser Trailer - Streaming April 6 on Disney+
Chains can be broken. Empires can be shattered.
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[01/22/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Prime Video Reveals "Invincible" Season Four Official Trailer and Key Art - The Viltrumite War Is Coming
The critically acclaimed adult-animated superhero series will return on March 18, 2026.
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[01/22/26 - 08:18 AM]
ESPN's 2026 United Football League Schedule Revealed
A combination of ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and the ESPN App will feature 22 games, including showcasing the league debut of the Columbus Aviators and Orlando Storm in primetime, kicking off the UFL Playoffs and presenting the UFL Championship game.
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[01/22/26 - 08:06 AM]
Your Table's Ready! Season Four of Bravo's "Southern Hospitality" Premieres Wednesday, March 4 at 9 P.M. ET/PT
Leva Bonaparte, the Queen of King Street, and her staff - Joe Bradley, Bradley Carter, TJ Dinch, Michols Peña, Maddi Reese and Lake Rucker - are back, and this summer is one for the books.
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[01/22/26 - 07:58 AM]
NBC Sports Delivers Its Most Watched NFL Divisional Playoff Game on Record as Rams-Bears Thriller Averages 45.4 Million Viewers on NBC & Peacock
The audience for Rams-Bears - which increased in every quarter hour from 8:15 p.m. ET until the game-winning score - peaked in the game's closing minutes, with an average of 52.6 million viewers from 9:45-10 pm ET.
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[01/22/26 - 07:24 AM]
Bob Costas Returns to NBC Sports, to Host "Sunday Night Baseball" Pregame Show
Costas debuts as host of NBC's new primetime MLB package on Thursday, March 26, at Dodger Stadium, as the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers host the Arizona Diamondbacks, with coverage beginning at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock in the only primetime game on MLB's Opening Day.
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[01/22/26 - 07:02 AM]
Video: "Ella McCay" - Trailer - Hulu
From acclaimed director James L. Brooks, the film streams on Hulu February 5.
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[01/22/26 - 07:01 AM]
USA Sports Announces WNBA Commentators Highlighted by Elle Duncan and Renee Montgomery as Studio Team
Kate Scott and Meghan McPeak will serve as play-by-play commentators; while Sarah Kustok joins USA Sports as game analyst.
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