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[04/16/21 - 11:13 PM]
Development Update: Friday, April 16
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!


GIRLS5EVA (Peacock) - Andrew Rannells has been confirmed as recurring on the upcoming comedy as Kev, "the husband to [Busy] Philipps' character, Summer. Kev is a former member of boy band Boyz Next Door and he and Summer were once the "girl-group and boy band's royal couple." But things are less than perfect for them now that Kev works in Tampa and only comes home one weekend a month." (THR.com)
LORD OF THE RINGS, THE (Amazon) - The much-ballyhooed first season of the J.R.R. Tolkien-based series will reportedly cost $465 million with New Zealand's Screen Production Grant providing $116 million. (Deadline.com)
MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN (Paramount+) - Emma Laird is set to star opposite Jeremy Renner and Dianne Wiest in the upcoming drama as Iris, "a dancer who uses her charms to her benefit, until those charms are used against her." (Deadline.com)
OHIO (HBO, New!) - Stephen Markley is spearheading a small screen take on his debut novel at the pay channel, which attempts "to capture the fractured soul of the country through the lens of a fictional Midwestern town ravaged by the Great Recession, an opioid crisis and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan." The series, from MGM Television, will track "one sweltering, fateful summer night in 2013 when four former classmates return to their rust belt hometown, each carrying their own regrets, secrets and lost loves." Sam Levinson, Ashley Levinson, Kevin Turen, 1.21's Andrew Mittman and Toluca Pictures' Steve Stark are also executive producing. (THR.com)
PROMISED LAND (ABC) - John Ortiz has been tapped for a role on the drama pilot as Joe Sandoval, "the patriarch of the Sandoval family, a wealthy vineyard-owning family in the Sonoma Valley. Joe took a small vineyard owned by a former rival and turned it into a wine and beverage empire, alienating many, including members of his own family, along the way. More than just a savvy corporate fighter, Joe can do every job there is to do on a vineyard, but finds himself at a crossroads when an enemy from his past resurfaces." (Deadline.com)
SINNER, THE (USA) - Frances Fisher has signed onto the anthology's fourth season in a yet-to-be-revealed role. (Variety.com)
STATION ELEVEN (HBO Max) - Deborah Cox is the latest to recur on the limited series as Wendy, "a musician looking for more in The Traveling Symphony." (Deadline.com)
UNTITLED CASTLEVANIA SPIN-OFF PROJECT (Netflix, New!) - The streamer is reportedly eyeing "a new series set in the same Castlevania universe with an entirely new cast of characters." No auspices were given for the project, however creator Warren Ellis - who "faced sexual misconduct allegations which he firmly denied" - will not be involved. "Castlevania" wraps its four-season run on May 13. (Deadline.com)





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· CASTLEVANIA (NETFLIX)
· CASTLEVANIA: NOCTURNE (NETFLIX)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· GIRLS5EVA (NETFLIX)
· LORD OF THE RINGS, THE: THE RINGS OF POWER (AMAZON)
· MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN (PARAMOUNT PLUS)
· OHIO (HBO)
· PROMISED LAND (HULU)
· SINNER, THE (USA)
· STATION ELEVEN (HBO MAX)





[04/24/26 - 12:00 PM]
What's New on HBO Max This May
Highlights include season two of "On The Roam," comedy special "Josh Johnson: Symphony," documentary series "U.S. Against The World: Four Years With The Men's National Soccer Team," new episode of "The Yogurt Shop Murders," and documentary "The A List: 15 Stories From Asia And Pacific Diasporas."

[04/24/26 - 11:16 AM]
"Wuthering Heights" Begins Streaming Exclusively on HBO Max May 1
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[04/24/26 - 09:01 AM]
Zizians Documentary Series Set at HBO
The multi-part documentary series explores the Zizians, an enigmatic group of young technologists who garnered national attention in 2025 after law enforcement linked members of the group to a series of violent crimes across the country.

[04/24/26 - 08:59 AM]
NBA Playoffs Return to NBC Sports Delivers Big Viewership Gains Over First Three Nights
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[04/24/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: New Featurette - Hulu Original Series "Rivals" Season 2
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[04/24/26 - 08:00 AM]
La La Anthony, Rutina Wesley, Taylor Polidore Williams, DeVaughn Nixon and Alexxis Lemire Join Season 4 of Hulu's Hit Legal Drama "Reasonable Doubt" as Recurring Guest Stars
Morris Chestnut, Joseph Sikora and Brandee Evans also return as recurring guest stars.

[04/24/26 - 07:01 AM]
"Scooby-Doo: Origins" Starts Production in Atlanta
A modern reimagining of the iconic mystery-solving group of teens and their very special dog.

[04/24/26 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Gordon" - First Look - Netflix
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[04/23/26 - 11:41 PM]
Prime Video Unleashes UK's Biggest Digital Stars in Highly Anticipated Comedy Reality Series, "Would You Rather: Decide to Survive"
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[04/23/26 - 09:00 PM]
The Vampire Lestat's Gritty Cover of Billy Idol's Legendary Song "Dancing with Myself" Is Now Available on All Digital Platforms
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[04/23/26 - 03:13 PM]
"Euphoria" Season 3 Premiere Surpasses 20M Global Viewers, Up 68% vs. Season 2
Episode 2 matched the premiere with approximately 8.5 million U.S. viewers in its first three days.

[04/23/26 - 02:50 PM]
Goal! ESPN Airs Two Most-Viewed First Round Game 2's on Cable Ever, Continuing Successful Start to 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Monday's Philadelphia Flyers-Pittsburgh Penguins matchup (Game 2, 7 p.m. ET) delivered 1.6 million viewers and Tuesday's Boston Bruins-Buffalo Sabres matchup (Game 2, 7:30 p.m.) delivered 1.2 million viewers, setting the new Game 2 record.

[04/23/26 - 02:02 PM]
"The Cult of Natureboy," A New Four-Part Docuseries That Offers a Raw and Unfiltered Look Inside a Modern Cult, Premieres April 28 on Hulu
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[04/23/26 - 01:03 PM]
Apple TV Sets New Comedy Series, Elizabeth Banks to Star and Executive Produce
The series is set to begin production in Los Angeles this year.

[04/23/26 - 12:19 PM]
USA Sports Delivers Most-Watched Match in LOVB Volleyball History to Cap Inaugural Season of Record Viewership on USA Network
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