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[03/18/21 - 11:51 PM]
Development Update: Thursday, March 18
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!
BUCKTOWN (ABC) - Shannon Woodward and Nicole Richie are the first to be cast in the comedy pilot, which follows Amy (Woodward), who, "after being dumped by her boyfriend and kicked out of her apartment on the eve of a big promotion, finds refuge at her mom's house in the blue-collar neighborhood where she grew up. Amy reconnects with her teenage niece living there due to her sister's latest rehab stint and resolves to stay when she realizes that her mom and niece aren't quite equipped to go it alone." Richie plays Jan, "Amy's boss. A self-centered force who tends to suck up all the energy in a room, Jan is very professional - except in the extremely unprofessional partnership with her husband, Finn." (Deadline.com)
BURDEN OF TRUTH (The CW) - The Canadian drama's eight-episode fourth season, which has yet to air in the U.S., will be its last. "After four incredible seasons, we're bringing our Burden of Truth story to its conclusion in tonight's series finale," the creators posted to its Facebook page. "We are so proud of the stories we've been able to tell each season, especially those related to social justice. We're also tremendously appreciative of the support we've received from our fans worldwide, and are particularly grateful to the communities in Winnipeg and Selkirk, Manitoba, for being so welcoming to our crew." (Facebook.com)
ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT (Syndication) - Correspondent/weekend co-host Nischelle Turner has been named a full-fledged co-host of the syndicated staple, marking the first Black woman to be tapped for said post. (Variety.com)
FARGO (FX) - "It will happen, but I'm not in a place where I'm writing on that yet, but I'm definitely excited to do one on some level," creator Noah Hawley told series actor Andrew Bird about a fifth season during a virtual SXSW chat. "I have to store up ten hours of what there is to say, so I have my notepad and keep writings things down." Later adding, "I'll get to it in the next year." (Deadline.com)
FIVE DAYS AT MEMORIAL (Apple TV+) - Vera Farmiga is the first to be cast in John Ridley and Carlton Cuse's limited series as Anna Pou, "the doctor on duty at Memorial when the storm hit." (Deadline.com)
GAME OF THRONES (HBO) - "9 Voyages" (a.k.a. Sea Snake), "Flea Bottom" and "10,000 Ships" are reportedly among the latest proposed spin-off series being eyed for George R.R. Martin's franchise. Bruno Heller is said to be spearheading the former, which refers to "the great voyages at sea made by Corlys Velaryon aboard the Sea Snake ship. Velaryon journeyed to places including Pentos, Dragonstone and around the bottom of Westeros as well as to Lys, Tyrosh and Myr. He reached the fabled lands of Yi Ti and Leng, whose wealth doubled that of the House Velaryon, and him and the Ice Wolf headed north searching for passage around the top of Westeros, only to find frozen seas and icebergs as big as mountains." "Flea Bottom" is a reference to "the poorest slum district in King's Landing, a maze-like warren of narrow streets and dark alleys filled with tanneries, brothels and ale houses"; and "10,000 Ships" is tied to "the journey made by warrior queen Princess Nymeria and the surviving members of the Rhoynars, who travelled from Essos to Dorne following their defeat by the Valyrian Freehold in the Second Spice War. This migration took place around 1,000 years before the events depicted in the A Song of Ice and Fire novels." No other auspices were given. (Deadline.com)
LEVERAGE: REDEMPTION (IMDb TV) - James Marsters will drop by the sequel series as Carl, "a slick country club hustler who uses his conning of wealthy members to fund a much darker criminal enterprise." (TVLine.com)
MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN (Paramount+) - Oscar winner Dianne Wiest is set to star opposite Jeremy Renner in the upcoming drama as Miriam, "the McLusky family matriarch who teaches at the Kingstown Women's Prison. Renner plays her son and the series' title character, Mike McLusky, the Mayor of Kingstown." (Deadline.com)
NAOMI (The CW) - Kaci Walfall, Alexander Wraith, Cranston Johnson and Camila Moreno have scored the lead roles in the DC Comics series pilot. Walfall will play the title character, Naomi, "an effortlessly cool and confident high school student who is the adopted daughter of doting parents. Popular with all the kids in her military town, Naomi is unafraid to embrace her AP-student, comic book-loving nerdiness. After a supernatural event leads to the discovery of her powers within, Naomi pursues her hidden destiny." Wraith then will play Dee, "the owner of a local tattoo parlor; when a strange event leaves the town in chaos, Dee hints that he knows more than he is willing to tell"; with Johnson as Zumbado, "the mysterious owner of a local used car lot; having heard troubling rumors about his past, Naomi actively tries to avoid him, but a tense encounter leaves her both shaken and curious"; and Moreno as Lourdes, "a young woman with a sarcastic sense of humor who works in a vintage collectibles shop; she has an unrequited crush on Naomi, and she shares her obsession with classic comics; she is also happy to join in on Naomi's schemes." (Deadline.com)
PUNK ASS BITCH (Hulu) - Frankie Quinones and Michelle Ortiz have been cast in the Chris Estrada-led comedy pilot. Quinones plays Luis, "a tatted up gangster who's just finished eight years in prison, tough, aggressive, macho, yet immature. He's not just a hard ex-gangster, he's someone who also has not grown up yet emotionally." And Otiz portrays Maggie: "Feisty, strong-willed and fierce, Maggie is Julio's ex, and it's clear that they still have a spark and hang out together even though they both drive each other crazy." (Deadline.com)
RAP SH*T (HBO Max) - Showrunner Syreeta Singleton has signed a one-year overall deal with HBO and sibling HBO Max. The pact will cover her duties on the upcoming series as well as any future development. (Deadline.com)
SUPERGIRL (The CW) - Jason Behr and Claude Knowlton have both boarded the show's final season. Behr will portray "a famous or noted Kryptonian who plays a significant role helping Kara when she faces circumstances beyond her control"; while Knowlton will play "a mild mannered alien whose tragic past allows him to help the Superfriends with their mission at hand." No other specifics were given. (Deadline.com)
TIME FOR MERCY, A (HBO, New!) - Matthew McConaughey is in final negotiations to reprise his "A Time to Kill" role of defense attorney Jake Brigance in a proposed eight-to-10 episode limited series at the pay channel based on John Grisham's sequel novel of the same name. In said effort, "Brigance finds himself embroiled in a deeply divisive trial when the court appoints him attorney for Drew Gamble, a timid 16-year-old boy accused of murdering a local deputy. Many in Clanton want a swift trial and the death penalty, but Brigance digs in and discovers that there is more to the story than meets the eye. Brigance's fierce commitment to saving Drew from the gas chamber puts his career and the safety of his family on the line." No other auspices however are currently attached. (Deadline.com)
UNTITLED LAKERS PROJECT (HBO) - Two-time Oscar winner Sally Field has been cast as Jessie Buss in the network's 1980s Los Angeles Lakers drama series. Field's Jessie Buss is "the mother of Hall of Famer Jerry Buss, played by John C. Reilly. As a young single mother, Jessie Buss instilled in her son Jerry a love of math, money, and good times. Decades later, her son is a successful businessman - but he turns to her as a trusted advisor and bookkeeper." (Deadline.com)
UNTITLED U.S. CAPITOL ASSAULT PROJECT (Showtime, New!) - Billy Ray and Shane Salerno are developing a limited series at the pay channel which "will examine and explore multiple points of view of the events leading up to the January 6 attack, including the final days of the Trump administration, and culminate with the attack itself, the aftermath, and the FBI and Congressional investigations." Ray will write and direct the series, which has an order for three scripts, with Salerno also serving as an executive producer. (Deadline.com)
WONDER YEARS, THE (ABC) - Dulé Hill and Laura Kariuki have signed onto the reboot series pilot. He'll play Bill Williams, "Dean's (Elisha Williams) dad. He's a music professor by day and a funk musician by night - described by Adult Dean as "The baddest guy I knew." Almost always calm and composed, his favorite words are "be cool." Bill wants his family and their black, middle class neighborhood to remain self-sufficient and he puts his money where his mouth is." And she's set as Kim Williams, "Dean's teenage sister, Kim is confident, bright and popular. She and Dean bicker as siblings do but they have a good relationship. Her parents have her preparing for college - but Kim is starting to rebel, telling them "Bobby Seale and H. Rap Brown didn't even finish college" and that she'll learn more from Eldridge Cleaver's "Soul on Ice" than the SAT's." (Deadline.com)
YOU DON'T KNOW ME (Netflix, New!) - Bukky Bakray, Samuel Adewunmi and Sophie Wilde are set to star in a four-part drama at the streamer based on Imran Mahmood's bestselling novel of the same name. Writer Tom Edge and director Sarmad Masud are behind the project, which "turns on a young man named Hero (Adewunmi) who, with overwhelming evidence against him, stands accused of murder. At his trial, Hero tells an extraordinary story about the woman he loves (Kyra, played by Wilde), and how he risked everything to save her. Hero swears he is innocent, but can we believe him?" Bakray plays Bless, "Hero's younger sister, who is a guiding force for her older brother and believes fiercely in his innocence." Roger Jean Nsengiyumva, Tuwaine Barrett, Yetunde Oduwole and Nicholas Khan are also featured in unspecified roles. Ruth Kenley-Letts, Neil Blair, Jenny Van Der Lande, Kate Crowe and Lucy Richer are executive producing for Snowed-In Productions and the BBC while Jules Hussey and Rienkje Attoh are producing. (Variety.com)
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[02/27/26 - 01:28 PM]
Paramount to Acquire Warner Bros. Discovery to Form Next-Generation Global Media and Entertainment Company
The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies and is expected to close in Q3 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory clearances and approval by WBD shareholders, with a vote expected in the early spring of 2026.
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[02/27/26 - 12:30 PM]
The Jaw-Dropping Fifth and Final Season of Starz's Hit Drama Series, "Power Book III: Raising Kanan" Set to Premiere June 12
To date, the series has accumulated over 21 billion minutes viewed across all episodes and remains one of Starz's top-performing series.
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[02/27/26 - 09:12 AM]
Team USA Hockey Olympic Gold Medalists Hilary Knight, Jack Hughes and Quinn Hughes to Appear Together on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Monday, March 2
The episode will also feature guests Nicole Kidman, Luke Thompson and a cooking demo by Chef Mario Carbone.
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[02/27/26 - 08:12 AM]
Paul Wesley Joins Season Three of Hit Apple TV Series "The Buccaneers"
Wesley will play the role as Frank, a mysterious but charming stranger who arrives into Nan and Mrs. St. George's world, turning it upside down.
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[02/27/26 - 07:31 AM]
Peacock to Exclusively Stream Focus Features' "Hamnet" Beginning March 6
Directed by two-time Academy Award-winning director Chloé Zhao, the film tells the untold story behind one of Shakespeare's most memorable works and celebrates the power of imagination and the creative spirit.
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[02/27/26 - 07:01 AM]
Prime Video Debuts First-Look Image of Ryan Hurst as Kratos and Callum Vinson as Atreus On Set of New Series "God of War"
The series is co-produced by Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios in association with PlayStation Productions and Tall Ship Productions, and has received a two-season order.
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[02/27/26 - 06:01 AM]
Video: Netflix and Apple TV Join Forces to Stream Formula 1 Thrills
The entire new season of "Formula 1: Drive to Survive" is now on Netflix globally and Apple TV in the U.S.
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[02/26/26 - 08:46 PM]
"Dandelion": Netflix Adapts "Gintama" Creator Hideaki Sorachi's Debut Work into New Anime Series
Set within the Send-Off Department of the Japanese Angel Federation, Dandelion follows "Angels" Tetsuo Tanba and Misaki Kurogane as they scramble to track down Earthbound spirits - souls unable to move on and find peace - and gently guide them to pass on.
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[02/26/26 - 06:01 PM]
Video: "Still Shining" - Official Trailer - Netflix
After falling in love as teens, two young adults drift apart - only to reunite 10 years later and confront their heartbreak, growth and new challenges.
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[02/26/26 - 02:46 PM]
Netflix Declines to Raise Offer for Warner Bros.
"The transaction we negotiated would have created shareholder value with a clear path to regulatory approval. However, we've always been disciplined, and at the price required to match Paramount Skydance's latest offer, the deal is no longer financially attractive, so we are declining to match the Paramount Skydance bid," said co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters.
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[02/26/26 - 02:19 PM]
"Live with Kelly and Mark" Soars to Season High with Best Audience in Over a Year
"Live" has now ranked as the No. 1 talk show in syndication for 157 consecutive weeks across all key measures.
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[02/26/26 - 02:08 PM]
Britbox Unveils Spring Slate with "The Lady" Starring Mia McKenna-Bruce; Premieres March 18
Other highlights include the return of "Hope Street" and the debut of "Mudtown."
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[02/26/26 - 01:36 PM]
Paramount Comments on Warner Bros. Discovery Board's Determination of Paramount's Proposal as Superior
David Ellison, Chairman and CEO of Paramount, said: "We are pleased WBD's Board has unanimously affirmed the superior value of our offer, which delivers to WBD shareholders superior value, certainty and speed to closing."
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[02/26/26 - 01:16 PM]
Warner Bros. Discovery Board of Directors Determines Revised Proposal from Paramount Skydance Constitutes a "Company Superior Proposal"
Under the terms of the Netflix merger agreement, this notice triggers a four business day period during which Netflix has the right to propose revisions to the Netflix merger agreement so that the PSKY proposal would cease to constitute a "Company Superior Proposal."
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[02/26/26 - 01:00 PM]
FOX Television Network Renews Hit Joel McHale Series "Animal Control" for Season Five
In addition, the first three seasons of the series are currently streaming on Netflix, and the show has been sold in territories around the world.
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