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[05/11/17 - 05:51 PM]
Development Update: Thursday, May 11 - ABC Sets First Wave of Series Orders
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!

Here are the latest projects being picked up to series by the aforementioned network for the 2017-18 season (via press release):

THE CROSSING

Refugees from a war-torn country seek asylum in a small American fishing town, only the country these people are from is America... and the war they are fleeing hasn't happened yet. As the government tries to uncover the truth behind this mysterious migration only one thing is certain: The lives of the people here - both the townspeople and these newcomers - will never be the same. Writers Dan Dworkin & Jay Beattie executive produce with Jason Reed.

"The Crossing" stars Steve Zahn as Jude Miller, Natalie Martinez as Reece, Sandrine Holt as Emma Ren, Rick Gomez as Nestor, Jay Karnes as Craig Lindauer, Marcuis Harris as Caleb, Simone Kessel as Rebecca, Kelly Missal as Hannah, Rob Campbell as Paul, Grant Harvey as Roy, Bailey Skodje as Leah, Luc Roderique as Bryce and Tommy Bastow as Marshall.

FOR THE PEOPLE (FKA UNTITLED SHONDALAND LEGAL PROJECT)

Set in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, aka "The Mother Court," this new Shondaland drama follows brand-new lawyers working for both the defense and the prosecution handling the most high-profile and high-stakes federal cases in the country - all as their lives intersect in and out of the courtroom. The series is created by Shondaland's Paul William Davies and is executive produced by Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers.

THE GOOD DOCTOR

Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore, "Bates Motel"), a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome, relocates from a quiet country life to join a prestigious hospital's surgical unit. Alone in the world and unable to personally connect with those around him, Shaun uses his extraordinary medical gifts to save lives and challenge the skepticism of his colleagues. The series is from David Shore ("House") and "Lost" and "Hawaii Five-O" star Daniel Dae Kim.

The series stars Freddie Highmore as Dr. Shaun Murphy, Antonia Thomas as Dr. Claire Brown, Nicholas Gonzalez as Dr. Neal Melendez, Chuku Modu as Dr. Jared Kalu, Irene Keng as Dr. Sarah Chen, Beau Garrett as Jessica Preston, Hill Harper as Dr. Marcus Andrews and Richard Schiff as Dr. Aaron Glassman.

THE GOSPEL OF KEVIN

Kevin Finn (Jason Ritter, "Parenthood"), a cluelessly self-serving person, is on a dangerous path to despair. In a downward spiral, Kevin returns home to stay with his widowed twin sister (JoAnna Garcia Swisher, "Once Upon a Time") and niece. On his first night there, an unlikely celestial being named Yvette (Cristela Alonzo, "Cristela") appears to him and presents him with a mission: to find and recruit the 35 righteous humans who can restore a sacred balance that will ultimately save the world. A light drama from executive producers Michele Fazekas & Tara Butters ("Marvel's Agent Carter," "Resurrection," "Reaper").

THE MAYOR (FKA UNTITLED CITY MAYOR PROJECT)

Young rapper Courtney Rose (Brandon Micheal Hall) needs his big break. For years, he's toiled away in a small inner-city apartment, making music in his junk-filled bedroom closet. Tired of waiting for opportunity, Courtney cooks up the publicity stunt of the century: Running for mayor of his hometown in California to generate buzz for his music career. Unfortunately for Courtney, his master plan goes wildly awry, ending in the most terrifying of outcomes: An election victory. With the help of his mother (Yvette Nicole Brown, "Community") and friends, including Valentina ("Glee's" Lea Michele), Courtney will have to overcome his hubris if he wants to transform the struggling city he loves.

TEN DAYS IN THE VALLEY

"Ten Days in the Valley" stars Kyra Sedgwick as Jane Sadler, an overworked television producer and single mother in the middle of a separation whose life is turned upside down when her young daughter goes missing in the middle of the night. Just like her controversial police TV show, everything is a mystery, everyone has a secret, and no one can be trusted.

UNTITLED ZACH BRAFF PROJECT (FKA START UP)

Alex Schuman (Zach Braff) is a brilliant radio journalist, husband, and father of two who is about to plunge into the great unknown. He's been working on the same radio show for 16 years and is tired of having his most original pitches rejected for fluff pieces. So he decides to put everything on the line, quit, and start a podcast company of his own to tell the stories that he believes in. His wife, Noush, is not thrilled about giving up his income, but loves Alex and so decides to support his leap, even though she still she has some concerns. She knows he is a great storyteller, but questions his ability to raise money and manage a small business. For this, he assembles a dream team to round out his skills: radio producer, Deirdre Riordan, who's only a little bit in love with him; and his best friend from high school, fast-talking salesman Eddie Ramirez, a slick numbers guru with a business degree. The team quickly rents some office space that they share with other unlikely entrepreneurs trying to make big things happen, too. After Alex makes some disastrous pitches for funding, it's his kids, 11 year-old budding magician Ben and 5 yearold Soraya, who give him the focus and confidence to fight for his dream. Based on the podcast START UP, Zach Braff stars, directs and executive produces with Matt Tarses (Scrubs) and Davis Entertainment (Dr. Ken, Blacklist).






  [may 2017]  
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· ALEX, INC. (ABC)
· CROSSING, THE (ABC)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· FOR THE PEOPLE (ABC)
· GOOD DOCTOR, THE (ABC)
· KEVIN (PROBABLY) SAVES THE WORLD (ABC)
· MAYOR, THE (ABC)
· TEN DAYS IN THE VALLEY (ABC)





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