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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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[10/06/25 - 02:01 PM]
Video: NBC Releases Official Trailer, Key Art, and First Look Images for "Happy's Place"
Season two premieres Friday, November 7 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and will be available the next day on Peacock.
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[10/06/25 - 11:29 AM]
Oliver Hudson Hosts New Magnolia Network Series, "Gingerbread Land: The Biggest Little Holiday Competition"
Hosted by Oliver Hudson and executive produced by Chip and Joanna Gaines, top bakers face off in the biggest little gingerbread competition ever imagined.
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[10/06/25 - 11:02 AM]
"Downey Wrote That" Set for Oct. 17 Debut on Peacock
The hourlong film explores the sketches, contributions and enduring influence of one of the most impactful comedy writers in the history of "Saturday Night Live."
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[10/06/25 - 11:01 AM]
Prime Video Announces "Hazbin Hotel: Live on Broadway" Musical Event Ahead of Season Two Premiere
Hosted by series lead Erika Henningsen, the live concert event will take place on October 20, at New York's historic Majestic Theater.
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[10/06/25 - 10:30 AM]
Amazon MGM Studios Has Ordered a Second Season of "Ballard"
The series, starring Maggie Q as Detective Renée Ballard, will continue to bring the work of New York Times best-selling author, Michael Connelly's beloved character to screen exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
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[10/06/25 - 10:04 AM]
ESPN Sets Multiple MLB Wild Card Series Viewership Records
ESPN networks averaged 4,625,000 viewers across 11 games, making it the most-watched Wild Card Series ever under the current format.
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[10/06/25 - 09:25 AM]
Paramount+ Sets Straight to Series Order for A24's Legal Thriller "Discretion" Starring and Executive Produced by Oscar and Emmy Winner Nicole Kidman and Emmy and Golden Globe Nominee Elle Fanning
Produced by A24, the eight episode drama series will begin production in 2026 and launch on Paramount+.
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[10/06/25 - 09:16 AM]
"One Shot with Ed Sheeran" - A Music Experience Directed by Emmy Award Winner Philip Barantini, A Fulwell Entertainment Production, Coming to Netflix November 21
The multi-Grammy Award winner will take viewers on a mesmerizing journey, during one afternoon, in real time, as he travels the streets of New York City, performing his greatest hits, captured in a single take.
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[10/06/25 - 09:01 AM]
Cozy Up with Cherished Disney Films When Freeform's "30 Days of Disney" Returns This November
Last November's event reached nearly 25 million viewers.
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[10/06/25 - 09:00 AM]
Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson and Bailey Zimmerman to Headline "New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash," Live from Downtown Nashville, on CBS and Paramount+
Plus: gospel music legend CeCe Winans will bring her powerhouse vocals to the night's festivities alongside the acclaimed Fisk Jubilee Singers, adding a soulful note to the star-studded lineup that Music City locals and visitors can enjoy for free at Bicentennial Park's main stage.
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[10/06/25 - 08:42 AM]
Hulu and American High Announces Comedy Film "Never Change!"
In 2005 the graduating class of North Meadows High School had their senior year cut short due to a disastrous tornado that wrecked half the school. Now in their mid 30s they're being forced to return home and finish high school once and for all.
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[10/06/25 - 08:21 AM]
Roku Serves Up New Romantic Comedy "Chef's Kiss" Starring Adrienne Bailon-Houghton and Produced by Jaggi Entertainment
"Chef's Kiss" follows Lauren Navarro (Bailon-Houghton), an ambitious American marketing executive tasked with revitalizing a family-run pasta sauce brand.
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[10/06/25 - 08:11 AM]
"Sidelined 2: Intercepted" Scores Premiere Date!
This Thanksgiving, Tubi delivers the ultimate doubleheader: the premiere of "Sidelined 2: Intercepted," and a free 4K live stream of the NFC North showdown between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers as part of the NFL's "John Madden Thanksgiving Celebration."
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[10/06/25 - 08:07 AM]
Video: Paramount+ Releases Official Trailer and New Images for New Comedy Series "Crutch," Starring Tracy Morgan
Produced by CBS Studios, all eight episodes of the series will be available to stream exclusively on Paramount+ at launch Monday, November 3.
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[10/06/25 - 08:06 AM]
Multiple Grammy Award Winner Lenny Kravitz to Star in "Sunday Night Basketball" Show Open, Debuting Feb. 1, 2026, on NBC and Peacock
"I have been a fan of basketball and the NBA since I was a kid," said Kravitz. "I am happy to be invited to take part with NBC Sports and the NBA, and I celebrate their support of sports, music, and culture. I am looking forward to this special moment."
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