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[12/17/19 - 11:47 PM]
Development Update: Tuesday, December 17
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!
AMERICANAH (HBO Max) - Uzo Aduba and Zackary Momoh are the latest additions to the Lupita Nyong'o-led adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel. Aduba will play Aunty Uju, "Ifemelu's young aunt and confidant. A highly intelligent doctor, Uju left Nigeria under tumultuous circumstances and has resettled in America to build a better life for herself and her son Dike." Momoh then is Obinze, a classmate of Ifemelu (Nyong'o) whom she falls in love with as a teenager. (Variety.com)
COLD SHOULDER (CBS, New!) - Pam Veasey is looking to bring Lynda La Plante's novel to the small screen at the Eye. In the CBS Television Studios-based project, "after a police officer is unable to prevent the death of her partner in the line of duty, she seeks help from a fellow detective as she attempts to pick up the pieces of her broken life at home and on the force." The Jackal Group's Gail Berman and PatMa Productions' Nina Tassler and Denise Di Novi will also executive produce. The news marks the Eye's second attempt at an adaptation: Kelly McGillis toplined a 2000 effort that didn't move forward to series. (Deadline.com)
CREW, THE (Netflix) - The Kevin James-led NASCAR comedy series has cast Gary Anthony Williams as Chuck; Dan Ahdoot as Amir; Freddie Stroma as Jake; Sarah Stiles as Beth; and Jillian Mueller as Catherine. The multi-camera project has a 10-episode order. (Deadline.com)
FIREFLY LANE (Netflix) - Patrick Sabongui and Brendan Taylor have scored recurring roles on the upcoming drama. Sabongui plays Chad Wiley, "a former journalist, now a college professor, who falls into a forbidden relationship with Tully Hart (Katherine Heigl), a promising young journalism student in the 1980s." Taylor portrays Mutt, a 1980s TV news cameraman who pines for his coworker Kate Mularkey (Sarah Chalke). Mutt is a funny, sweet, geeky underdog, with a great heart and hidden depths." (Deadline.com)
FROM SCRATCH (FYI, New!) - David Moscow is set to host a new 10-episode series for the cable channel which "follows the actor, producer and adventurer on a worldwide expedition making meals literally from scratch." UnLTD Productions is behind the project, due on Sunday, February 16 at 6:00/5:00c, with David Moscow, Karen Moscow, Graeme Swanepoel, Jordan Harman, Christian Murphy, Jason Dreyer, Graeme Swanepoel and Damien Brown executive producing. (Deadline.com)
GAME, THE (The CW, New!) - Mara Brock Akil is developing a one-hour sequel series to the 2006-2015 half-hour comedy alongside Devon Greggory, this time set in Baltimore, where "our out-of-touch old-timers are determined to help a bunch of knuckle-head new-schoolers navigate the ruthless game of football on and off the field." Salim Akil and Grammnet NH Productions' Kelsey Grammer and Tom Russo will also executive produce for CBS Television Studios. (Deadline.com)
HOMECOMING (Amazon) - Joan Cusack and Mary Holland have both scored roles on the show's second season. Cusack will portray Francine Bunda, "an Army officer with an unconventional approach to the job"; while Holland will play Wendy, "an ambitious executive in Geist's R&D department." (Deadline.com)
INFAMOUS (The CW, New!) - George Northy and Darren Stein are set to team for a new drama at the netlet in which "celebrities who've experienced a devastating fall from grace are recruited by a top-secret arm of the CIA, with the promise to rehab their careers in exchange for using their global access (and eccentric reputations) to perform high-risk missions across the globe." Mike Tollin and Maia Glikman of Tollin Productions will also executive produce. No studio was indicated. (Deadline.com)
IRON SHARPENS IRON (Quibi, New!) - The streaming service has commissioned eight episodes of a new docu-series which "will pair star athletes with another professional athlete from a completely different sport." Cam Newton, Trae Young, Amanda Nunes and Carli Lloyd are among the initial participants. Iconic Saga Productions, Liquid Light and Endeavor Content's Film 45 are behind the project with Newton and David Ricks executive producing. (Variety.com)
LODGE 49 (AMC) - Creator Jim Gavin confirmed on social media today the series wasn't able to find a new home following AMC's cancellation. (@jimatdeltaco)
LORD OF THE RINGS, THE (Amazon) - Morfydd Clark has reportedly been cast as young Galadriel in the TV series. The character was famously portrayed by Cate Blanchett in Peter Jackson's various film incarnations. (Variety.com)
NO STONE UNTURNED (NBC, New!) - Steve Jackson's book, subtitled "The Story of NecroSearch International," is being developed as a drama at the Peacock network. Jonathan Collier is behind the project, which will follow "a group of the nation's top scientists, specialists and behaviorists who use the latest technology and the most advanced techniques to solve unsolvable crimes." Hazy Mills Productions' Todd Milliner and Sean Hayes will also executive produce for Universal Television. (Deadline.com)
RUSSIAN DOLL (Netflix) - Co-creator Leslye Headland has signed a multi-year overall deal with Fox 21 Television Studios. There she'll develop new series projects for the company. (Deadline.com)
SAVED BY THE BELL (Peacock) - John Michael Higgins has been cast as Bayside High's newest principal in the revival series. Principal Toddman "is constantly being pranked by his privileged students and yelled at by their entitled parents. But all this changes when Bayside gets an influx of new, low-income students and Toddman gets a second chance to really make a difference." (TVLine.com)
SEAL TEAM (CBS) - Luis Jose Lopez has booked a multi-episode arc on the series as Carlos Ramos, "a CIA agent operating under a NOC (Non-Official Cover) who has been discovered/captured by the Venezuelan government. He's being held captive and risks being moved from South America to Middle East. " (Deadline.com)
SISTAS (BET) - Keena Ferguson will recur on the Tyler Perry-produced drama as Leslie Davenport, "a no-nonsense, tough private investigator who is hired to investigate a love triangle involving Andi, played by KJ Smith." (Deadline.com)
TRAITORS (Netflix) - MGM Television has closed a first-look deal with British management and production company 42, producer of said drama. (Deadline.com)
TRILL LEAGUE (Quibi, New!) - Anthony Piper's graphic novel is being developed as an animated series at the streaming service. The project, billed as "anime-inflected, hip-hop-informed vision of a black superhero universe," will be written by Piper and Jameel Saleem with G-Unit Film & Television's Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson and 3 Arts Entertainment's Jermaine Johnson also executive producing for Lionsgate Television. (Deadline.com)
UNTITLED NADER & SHLESINGER PROJECT (CBS, New!) - Comedian Iliza Shlesinger has been tapped to star in a multi-camera comedy at the Eye about Iliza (Shlesinger), "who returns home to Austin, Texas, to help her mom and sister run their family business." She'll co-write the half-hour alongside Michelle Nader with Danielle Stokdyk, Kara Baker, David Martin, Richard Allen-Turner and Jon Thoday also executive producing for Avalon Television, CBS Television Studios and Warner Bros. Television. (Deadline.com)
VAN HELSING (Syfy) - The cable channel has renewed the series for a fifth and final season of 13 episodes, due in 2020. (THR.com)
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[11/13/25 - 01:36 PM]
Major League Soccer Is Coming to Apple TV Starting in 2026
Starting next season, fans can watch every regular-season match, the annual Leagues Cup tournament, the MLS All-Star Game, the Campeones Cup, the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, and more - all included with an Apple TV subscription.
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[11/13/25 - 01:12 PM]
Great American Media Is National Linear, Digital, and Streaming Home of the 137th Rose Parade Presented by Honda
The Rose Parade has named legendary athlete, entrepreneur, and transformative philanthropist, Earvin "Magic" Johnson as Grand Marshal of the 2026 Rose Parade.
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[11/13/25 - 11:01 AM]
Peacock Brings the Ultimate Sunday Night Football Watch Party Serving Up Touchdowns and Tea with "Reality Hot Seat" - Streaming Live Throughout the Houston Texans-Kansas City Chiefs Matchup on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 8 P.M. ET
Leading the charge is an all-star panel ready to call the game like it's their favorite reunion special: "Boston Rob" Mariano, Heather Gay, TV and podcast host Justin Sylvester and Kate Chastain.
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[11/13/25 - 11:00 AM]
"The Celebrity Traitors" UK to Premiere on Peacock Thursday, Nov. 20
An average of 11.1 million people tuned in to watch the final episode of this year's Celebrity version last week in the UK - the biggest live audience of the year for a single UK TV show.
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[11/13/25 - 11:00 AM]
Prime Video Hands Comedy All Stars Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson November 25 Premiere Date for "Good Sports"
Premiering November 25 exclusively on Prime Video, new episodes of "Good Sports" will stream every Tuesday in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
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[11/13/25 - 10:00 AM]
12 Bakers Are Ready to Sleigh the Competition and Battle for the Title of First-Ever "Next Level Baker!"
The series premieres Thursday, December 4 at 9:00/8:00c on FOX.
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[11/13/25 - 09:45 AM]
Melissa Peterman to Host "Countdown to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade"
On the eve of the iconic "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade," viewers will enjoy an all-access look at the Macy's Parade Studio to discover exactly what it takes to create the famous floats and balloons prior to their journey through the streets of New York.
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[11/13/25 - 09:32 AM]
Wonder Project's Inspiring Docuseries, "Redemption," Premieres on the Wonder Project Subscription on Prime Video in the U.S. on Sunday, November 16
The limited docuseries chronicles the Ohio State football team's unforgettable 2024 season, culminating in a national championship, but this story goes much deeper than touchdowns and trophies.
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[11/13/25 - 09:06 AM]
Golf Channel Announces New Morning Programming Beginning January 2026
New morning programming on Golf Channel is highlighted by on-course reporter Smylie Kaufman bringing his popular show and podcast, "The Smylie Show," to Golf Channel on Wednesdays at 9 a.m. ET.
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[11/13/25 - 09:02 AM]
Prime Video Announces November 17 Release Date for "Hazbin Hotel: Live on Broadway" Season 2 Premiere Concert Event
Hosted by series lead Erika Henningsen, at New York's historic Majestic Theater, the concert event features performances of the show's hit songs from Seasons One and Two.
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[11/13/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Kathleen Madigan: The Family Thread" - Official Trailer - Prime Video
The one-hour special will premiere November 21, 2025 on Prime Video.
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[11/13/25 - 09:00 AM]
HBO Original Documentary "The Shuffle" Debuts November 25
The documentary is the first in a new series of short football films, made in partnership with NFL Films, and will debut in advance of the new season of "Hard Knocks: In Season with the NFC East."
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[11/13/25 - 08:30 AM]
"Mad Men" Comes to HBO Max December 1
This marks the first time the series is available to stream in 4K, giving audiences and longtime fans the opportunity to enjoy the series' authentically-crafted elements with crisp detail and enhanced visual clarity.
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[11/13/25 - 08:03 AM]
Star Designer Bobby Berk Turns Chaotic Collections Into Dream Digs in New HGTV Series "Junk or Jackpot?" Premiering Friday, Dec. 26, at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT
Executive produced by actor, wrestler and entrepreneur John Cena, the six-episode season will follow Bobby as he meets passionate people who are in desperate need of a life-changing renovation and will soon discover the hidden monetary value of their massive and unusual collections.
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[11/13/25 - 08:00 AM]
Apple TV Unveils First Look and Premiere Date for All-New Wildlife Series "Born to be Wild"
Filmed over several years across three continents, the six-part documentary series follows six endangered young animals as they grow up in our world but are destined to return to theirs.
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