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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!
ATLANTA (FX, New!) - Donald Glover ("Community") is set to topline a potential comedy at the cable channel set against the backdrop of the Atlanta music scene. The actor/comedian, who will only appear in five episodes of the NBC series this season, is an Atlanta native and has an active music career as a hip-hop artist under the stage name Childish Gambino. No other details were given about the project, which he'll write and executive produce. (Deadline.com)
MARCO POLO (Starz) - Electus and The Weinstein Company's long-in-the-works drama may be heading to Netflix or the big screen. Originally given a 10-episode order by Starz in January 2012 and set to film in China, production was subsequently postponed due to issues with said locale and ultimately scrapped by the network. It's understood Netflix has since offered its own nine-episode order - seven scripts for which are already written - that would film in Malaysia, while Harvey Weinstein is mulling a feature version which is already fully financed. John Fusco created the project while Dave Erickson serves as co-showrunner. (Deadline.com)
TYRANT (FX/Fox 21; W: Craig Wright; D: David Yates) - Justin Kirk ("Animal Practice") and Sibylla Deen ("Home and Away") are the latest additions to the drama pilot, about an unassuming American family drawn into the workings of a turbulent Middle Eastern nation. He'll play "a sexy, decadent and mysterious American diplomat with a hidden agenda"; while she's set as Nusrat, "the young bride of Ahmad." Ashraf Barhom, Mehdi Dehbi, Moran Atias and Salim Daw also star. (Deadline.com)
UNTITLED ISSA RAE PROJECT (HBO, New!) - Issa Rae ("The Misadventures Of Awkward Black Girl") has booked a new comedy at the pay channel which "focuses on the awkward experiences and racy tribulations of a modern day African-American woman." She'll star in and co-write the potential half-hour alongside executive producer Larry Wilmore ("The Daily Show with Jon Stewart") as well as serve as a co-executive producer. (Deadline.com)
AND IN OTHER NEWS... - "The Mentalist" co-stars Amanda Righetti and Owain Yeoman will exit the CBS drama toward the end of the show's upcoming sixth season (TVLine.com); Leslie Hope will guest on "NCIS" as a high-level Navy official that "has tremendous importance in the NCIS world" (TVLine.com); Mark Sheppard's Curtis Hagen, better known as "The Dutchman," will return to "White Collar" in a "substantial arc" this season (Huffpo.com); Barry Schindel has been tapped to succeed Rene Echevarria as the showrunner of CBS's "Intelligence" (Deadline.com); Starz has inked a first-look deal with feature producer Mark Canton (Deadline.com);
Tahmoh Penikett will drop by "Supernatural" as "a dignified warrior angel injured in the fall" from last season's finale (EW.com); Sam Underwood has joined the cast of "The Following" as Luke, "a very complicated and dangerous young man who may or may not be a follower of Joe Carroll" (TVLine.com); Paloma Kwiatkowski will recur on "Bates Motel" as "a small town party girl who befriends Norman (Freddie Highmore) and bonds with him" (Deadline.com); Manolo Cardona is likewise bound for The CW's "Reign" as a "playful and seemingly grounded prince who may have a sinister, sadistic, and completely amoral soul" (Deadline.com); and "Awkward" creator Lauren Iungerich has inked a blind script deal with Warner Bros. Television (THR.com).
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