 |
 |
[03/28/12 - 11:37 PM]
Development Update: Wednesday, March 28
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!
THE FIRST FAMILY (Syndication) - Christopher B. Duncan and Kellita Smith are set to play President William Johnson and First Lady Katherine Johnson in the upcoming syndicated offering from Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios. The company announced a 104-episode commitment to the half-hour comedy back in January for a fall 2012 premiere. They'll be joined by Gladys Knight and Marla Gibbs as their respective mothers; Jackee Harry as the First Lady's sister; John Witherspoon as the President's father; and Khylin Rhambo, Yara Shahidi, Sayeed Shahidi and Layla Crawford as their kids. Other actors featured in the pilot, which recently completed production, include Paul Rodriguez (Dictator Rafael), Michael D. Roberts (the butler), Lee Reherman (a Secret Service agent), John Eric Bentley (also a security agent), Tucker Smallwood (an admiral), Casey Sander (a general), Tom Virtue (also a general), Adam Kulbersh (a speechwriter) and Jet as Max the Dog. (Deadline.com, THR.com)
THE GOODWIN GAMES (FOX) - Melissa Tang is the latest addition to the comedy pilot, about three siblings - Coney (Becki Newton), Jimmy (Jake Lacy) and Henry (Scott Foley) - who must heed to the idiosyncratic terms of their father's will to inherit his fortune. She'll play their late father's estate attorney, a role (Lawrence Butler) originally written as a man in his mid-40s. Felisha Terrell also stars in the 20th Century Fox Television-based half-hour, from co-creators Carter Bays, Craig Thomas and Chris Harris. Peyton Reed is directing. (Deadline.com)
THE LIFE (ABC) - Erin Cahill ("Saving Grace") has boarded the drama pilot, about Marta Walraven (Radha Mitchell), the widow of an assassinated criminal who is suddenly forced to adopt her late husband's (Anson Mount) role in order to protect her family. She'll guest star as Felicity ("killer body, trashy style, well lmeaning but oblivious"), nicknamed the Poodle, the trophy wife of Marta's kingpin father Andrei Lazarev (Rade Serbedzija). Mark Pellington is directing the ABC Studios-based hour from a script by Melissa Rosenberg. Erin Moriarty, Jaime Ray Newman, Jakob Salvati, Lee Tergesen, Luke Goss, Sterling Beaumon and Suleka Mathew also star. (Deadline.com)
MALIBU COUNTRY (ABC) - "Queer Eye" alum Jai Rodriquez has been cast in the comedy pilot, about a woman (Reba McEntire) who divorces her broke, cheating rock star husband and moves her family from Nashville to the only asset she has left - a little house in Malibu. He'll guest star as record label executive Jeffrey Wolfe, "an opportunistic, no-nonsense, self-made millionaire who is easily distracted." Juliette Angelo, Justin Prentice, Lily Tomlin and Sara Rue also star in the ABC Studios-based half-hour, from writer Kevin Abbott and director John Pasquin. (Deadline.com)
THE MAZE (Showtime, New!) - Peter Morgan ("The Special Relationship") is developing a new drama at the pay channel billed as "an international political thriller in the mode of 'Bourne Identity.'" No other specifics were given about the project, which Morgan will presumably write and executive produce. (THR.com)
O.C.T. (A&E, New!) - Rosario Dawson is developing a potential starring vehicle at the cable channel about the NYPD's Occult Crimes Taskforce, "which was established after the Civil War to make the New York City streets safe from practitioners of black magic, demons from another dimension and all manner of supernatural malcontents." The project is based on the graphic novel created by Dawson and David Atchison. Dawson would play the lead role of Sophia Ortiz, "a new member of the bureau who uses magic, spells, ghosts, the undead and the unnatural." Jorge Zamacona ("Outlaw") is attached to pen the script and executive produce alongside Dawson and Gale Anne Hurd ("The Walking Dead"). Atchison, who also illustrated the comic, will also receive a producing credit. (THR.com)
OVER AND OUT (CBS) - Regina Hall ("Law & Order: LA") has joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about Ray Barker (Martin Lawrence), a widowed father of two teenagers who, after losing his job in construction, decides to go to the police academy and become a cop at the age of 46. She'll play Katie Doyle ("cute, type-A, a perfectionist"), a fellow cop who takes an immediate shine to him. P.J. Byrne also stars in the CBS Television Studios-based half-hour, from director Fred Savage and co-creators Mike Lisbe and Nate Reger. (Deadline.com)
THE REAL ALL AMERICANS (AMC, New!) - Writer/director Nicholas Meyer ("Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country") is developing a new period drama about the true story of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School football program "created by U.S. cavalry officer Richard Henry Pratt, an abolitionist and early equal rights proponent who made a harrowing journey to the Dakota Territory in 1879 to recruit the school's first students." The Carlisle, Pennsylvania-based program featured such alums as Olympian Jim Thorpe and coach Glenn "Pop" Warner. Said hour is based on Sally Jenkins's book of the same name which Meyer will adapt and Tommy Lee Jones is in talks to direct. Harry J. Ufland is also attached as a producer. (THR.com)
UNTITLED ALEXANDER PAYNE/JIM TAYLOR PROJECT (Showtime, New!) - Oscar-winners Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor ("Sideways") are set to reteam for a potential drama at the cable channel which "will explore the impact of a new Indian Casino on its tribe members and its greater Mid-western community." No other details were given about the project. (THR.com)
AND IN OTHER NEWS... - Rebecca Creskoff will recur on "Covert Affairs" as a new mentor and confidant for Piper Perabo's Annie whose approach is the opposite of the tough-love technique used by Kari Matchett's Joan (TVGuide.com); Jordan Belfi has booked a two-episode arc on "Grey's Anatomy" as a "funny, self-deprecating and adventurous" patient (TVLine.com); Elias Koteas will guest on the season finale of "Unforgettable" as "a man whom Carrie Wells comes to believe killed her sister all those years ago" (TVLine.com); Rachael Harris is bound for "Suits" as "a representative from Harvard Law whom Louis (Rick Hoffman) must dissuade from rescinding law firm Pearson Hardman's recruiting privileges" (THR.com); Jamie Tarses has inked a new two-year overall deal with Sony Pictures Television, home to her FanFare banner since 2006 (Deadline.com); Kate McKinnon, Jessica Joy, Lauren Lapkus and Elaine Carroll are among the latest actresses testing for "Saturday Night Live" (Deadline.com); and USA has formally passed on its drama pilots "Over/Under" and "Wild Card" (Deadline.com).
|
|
|
 [march 2012]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
| | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[02/11/26 - 02:34 PM]
Video: Trailer & Key Art Debut - "Watching You" Season 1 (ITV Studios)
The Australian series premieres February 20, 2026 on Hulu, and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S.
|
[02/11/26 - 01:46 PM]
"Puppy Bowl XXII" Reaches 15.3 Million Viewers on Sunday, February 8, Delivering Highest Audience in Eight Years
The programming event ranked as the #1 non-sports cable telecast of the day among key adult demos and achieved a 20% year-over-year increase in reach, marking its strongest performance since 2018.
|
[02/11/26 - 12:07 PM]
Culture's Biggest Week Dates Announced! BET Awards Set for June 28 & BETX Returns to Los Angeles June 25-27
For 25 years, the BET Awards has recognized the artists, creators, and leaders shaping culture in real time, delivering iconic performances, unforgettable tributes, and moments that resonate far beyond the stage.
|
[02/11/26 - 11:15 AM]
Post-Olympics "Tonight Show" Telecast Attracts Most Viewers Since November 2024
The February 6 post-Olympics telecast of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" drew 2.4 million viewers.
|
[02/11/26 - 09:33 AM]
Video: Trailer Debut - "Scrubs" Season One Premiering February 25th
With the show picking up in modern day, the series reunites the original cast for more heartwarming laughs and hijinks while introducing a new generation of interns.
|
[02/11/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Rental Family" - Trailer - Hulu
The Brendan Fraser-led film streams on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ February 18.
|
[02/11/26 - 09:00 AM]
Meet the Three New Farmers Ready to Cultivate Real Connections as "Farmer Wants a Wife" Returns Tuesday, April 21 at 8/7c on FOX
Hosted once again by Kimberly Williams-Paisley, season four strips the experience down to the roots, focusing on fewer farmers and deeper connections as a new group of single women leave behind city comforts for muddy boots, early mornings and the promise of forever.
|
[02/11/26 - 09:00 AM]
Raj Kapoor, Sarah Levine Hall and Jack Sussman to Produce "The 79th Annual Tony Awards"
Kapoor, whose live event work has earned him multiple Emmy Awards, joins the celebratory event for the first time, while Emmy winner Levine Hall and Sussman have a long history contributing to the success of Broadway's biggest night.
|
[02/11/26 - 08:31 AM]
Netflix's "XO, Kitty" Season 3 - First Look, Date Announcement & Synopsis Debut
The new season of the spin-off series returns to Netflix on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
|
[02/11/26 - 08:07 AM]
ID's "Hunt for the Missing: Chicago" Looks to Find Answers to Some of the City's Most Haunting Unsolved Cases
Following Retired Chicago Detective Pamela Childs, a fearless and unflinching investigator whose mission is to not let cold cases go forgotten, the series explores some of the city's most haunting unsolved missing persons cases.
|
[02/11/26 - 08:06 AM]
BritBox Announces March 18th Premiere for "The Lady"
The four-part drama series captures the rise and fall of former royal aide Jane Andrews, and stars Mia McKenna-Bruce as Andrews, Natalie Dormer as Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York and Ed Speleers as Thomas Cressman.
|
[02/11/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Vladimir" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When an English professor becomes obsessed with a handsome new colleague, her already complicated marriage and career are thrown into total chaos.
|
[02/11/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: Prime Video Debuts Official Key Art and Trailer for "Scarpetta," Based on Patricia Cornwell's Bestselling Novels, Premiering March 11
With over 120 million copies sold worldwide since the character's debut in 1990, this adaptation marks the culmination of decades of anticipation as the beloved forensic pathologist finally comes to the screen.
|
[02/11/26 - 06:00 AM]
The "Descendants/ZOMBIES Worlds Collide: Concert Special" Is Coming to Disney+ and Disney Channel
The special will premiere February 19 on Disney Channel and will be available to stream the next day on Disney+.
|
[02/11/26 - 01:01 AM]
Video: "Louis Theroux: Inside The Manosphere" - Official Teaser - Netflix
With rare access and no holds barred, the acclaimed documentarian investigates a growing ultra-masculine network and its controversial influencers.
|
|
|
|
