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[05/23/25 - 11:39 PM]
Development Update: Week of May 19-23
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!
7TH HEAVEN (REBOOT SERIES) (New!) - Anthony Sparks is spearheading a reboot of the former The WB/The CW staple at CBS Studios, which "would focus on a diverse family, and that none of the original cast members would appear." Original series star Jessica Biel is also on board to executive produce via her and Michelle Purple's Iron Ocean banner; as is DeVon Franklin via his Franklin Entertainment. No network or streamer is currently attached. (Variety.com, 5/19)
ALL FOURS (Starz) - Plan B has signed on to produce the network's Miranda July adaptation. (Deadline.com, 5/23)
AMERICAN LOVE STORY (FX) - Max Winkler has been tapped to helm the debut installment of the series, from executive producers Ryan Murphy, Brad Simpson, Nina Jacobson, D.V. DiVencentis and Connor Hines. (Deadline.com, 5/19)
BABY QUEEN (HBO, New!) - Alex Metcalf is developing a small screen take on the upcoming debut novel from Ty Landers at the network: "Baby Queen centers on Natalie Link who returns home to take over her family's honey business - but when a body is discovered on the property, three generations of women are forced to confront the secrets, betrayals, and buried crimes that haunt their Southern legacy." Michael Ellenberg, Lindsey Springer, Alison Mo Massey and Jessica Rhoades will also executive produce for Media Res and Pacesetter with Mark Kinsella as a co-executive producer. (Deadline.com, 5/21)
FIGHTLAND (Starz) - The long-in-the-works drama has opened a writers' room at the network. Damione Macedon and Raphael Jackson Jr. will serve as showrunners and executive produce alongside Daniel Fajemisin-Duncan, Marlon Smith, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Francis Hopkinson and Kate Leadbetter. (Deadline.com, 5/23)
HOLIDAY TOUCHDOWN: A BILLS LOVE STORY (Hallmark Channel) - Joe Pantoliano will replace Tony Danza in the holiday film, who "had a last-minute scheduling conflict with production dates." (TVLine.com, 5/21)
IMPERFECT WOMEN (Apple TV+) - Wilson Bethel, Keith Carradine, and Jackson Kelly will recur on the limited series as Scott, RL Hennessy, and Marcus, respectively. No other details were given. (Deadline.com, 5/23)
KINGMAKER (Starz, New!) - The pay channel has opened a writers' room for a proposed drama from Al Letson: "Set against the glittering backdrop of Washington D.C., "Kingmaker" explores the ruthless, high-stakes world of the Black political elite as they struggle for power, position, and prestige at the highest levels of American government. The series follows the cunning machinations of a legendary power broker as he works in the shadows to reclaim his throne as the undisputed "Kingmaker" on the national political scene. Secrets, betrayals, illicit affairs, and shocking scandals collide as he stops at nothing to outmaneuver his rivals and seize supreme control." Theo Travers, Beau Willimon, Jordan Tappis and Michael Lombardo will also executive produce for Westward. (Deadline.com, 5/23)
MASQUERADE (Starz, New!) - Dave Holstein has sold a new drama to the pay channel which has opened a writers' room: "Set in Venice, Masquerade is the story of an American woman who takes on a new identity at a European wedding, using the art of seduction in a murderous con to escape her past and regain her fortune." Stacey Sher will also executive produce. (Deadline.com, 5/23)
PRODIGIES (Apple TV+) - Rina Sawayama will star opposite Will Sharpe and Ayo Edebiri in the comedy series as "Ren's sister Hana in a recurring role." (Deadline.com, 5/20)
SCRUBS (REBOOT SERIES) (ABC) - Zach Braff has closed a deal to reprise his role of John "J.D." Dorian in the proposed sequel series at the network. (Deadline.com, 5/21)
SECRET OF SECRETS, THE (Netflix, New!) - The streamer has given a straight-to-series order for a new Robert Langdon series from Carlton Cuse and author Dan Brown, based on his upcoming novel: "In it, symbologist Robert Langdon races against ancient forces and time to rescue a missing scientist and her groundbreaking manuscript whose discoveries have the power to forever change humanity's understanding of the mind. The series adaptation will blend futuristic science with mystical lore, delivering on the heart-pounding suspense and international intrigue that has made the Langdon stories a global phenomenon." Emma Forman of Genre-Arts also executive produces. (Deadline.com, 5/22)
SHARDS, THE (FX) - Kaia Gerber is set to star in the Bret Easton Ellis adaptation, which is now formally set up at FX for development after originating at HBO. Ellis will executive produce alongside Ryan Murphy, director Max Winkler, Nick Hall, Kathleen McCaffrey and Brian Young for the 20th Television-based Ryan Murphy Television (Deadline.com, 5/19)
STRANGERS (Peacock, New!) - Jon Harmon Feldman has sold a new drama to the streamer: "Strangers is described as Strangers On a Train with two female leads. In it, when a long-neglected housewife befriends a mysterious woman who is her polar opposite, the two women find that they have far more in common than they thought. As their friendship unfolds, we soon learn that they both harbor secrets that could quickly unravel their quiet suburban lives." Leslie Mann and Gabrielle Union are being eyed to star in the project, which they would also executive produce alongside Feldman, Jennifer Klein and Sheldon Turner for 100% Productions, A+E Studios and UCP. (Deadline.com, 5/19)
STUMBLE (NBC) - The mockumentary comedy pilot has cast Ryan Pinkston as Stevie, a dropout who "re-enrolls and joins Courteney's (Jenn Lyon) new team as a thirtysomething 'senior'"; Anissa Borrego as Krystal, "the star flyer at Sammy Davis Sr. Junior college"; Arianna Davis as Madonna, "the narcoleptic tumbler who ironically provides the cheer team with energy"; Taylor Dunbar as Peaches, "a kleptomaniac troublemaker with sick skills who's given a chance by Courteney"; Taran Killam as Boone E. Potter, "the football coach of Sammy Davis Sr. Junior college, married to his high school sweetheart and cheer coach, Courteney"; Jarrett Austin Brown as Dimarcus, "the starting quarterback who leads the team in rushing yards and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties"; and Georgie Murphy as Sally who is "not a great cheerleader, but Courteney sees potential in her." (Deadline.com, 5/22)
TERMINAL LIST, THE (Amazon) - Costa Ronin will recur in the new season as "billionaire and media mogul, Vasili Adrenov." (Deadline.com, 5/21)
WHEEL OF TIME, THE (Amazon) - The streamer has pulled the plug on the fantasy series after three seasons. (Deadline.com, 5/23)
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[08/20/25 - 01:06 PM]
WWE Premium Live Events to Debut on ESPN Platforms in the U.S. Beginning September 20 with First-Ever Wrestlepalooza
Additional upcoming WWE PLEs this year include Crown Jewel on Saturday, October 11, and Survivor Series on Saturday, November 29.
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[08/20/25 - 12:27 PM]
All of the 2025 US Open. All in One Place. ESPN's Exclusive "First Ball to Last Ball" Coverage August 24 - September 7
Every match from the tournament streams live on the ESPN App.
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[08/20/25 - 12:01 PM]
FOX Entertainment Studios' Scripted Programming Team Names JJ Klein as SVP, Current and Brie Neimand as SVP, Development
Klein and Neimand both report directly to Hannah Pillemer, EVP & Head of Scripted Entertainment for FOX Entertainment Studios.
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[08/20/25 - 11:58 AM]
Andscape Announces Next Film in Its &360 Anthology Series, "Imported," to Premiere on Hulu August 28th
Directed by Fiz Olajide in her feature debut, the film tells the story of American athletes who, after falling short of their NBA dreams, discover purpose, growth, and global fandom on courts around the world.
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[08/20/25 - 11:07 AM]
Alicia Silverstone-Led Crime Drama "Irish Blood" Is the Biggest New Series Premiere in Acorn TV History
The August 11 premiere also drove the biggest day of subscriber sign-ups on Acorn TV's direct-to-consumer platforms in nearly two years.
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[08/20/25 - 11:01 AM]
Global Boxing Superstars Jake "El Gallo" Paul and Gervonta "Tank" Davis to Face Off in Most Valuable Promotions "Jake vs. Tank" on Friday, November 14 from State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, Live Globally Only on Netflix
Paul now returns to Netflix following his record-shattering Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson matchup in November 2024.
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[08/20/25 - 10:05 AM]
ESPN Tips Off Its Coverage of the 2025 NBA Preseason on Sunday, October 5
Look for the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors to kick things off on said night at 8:30/7:30c.
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[08/20/25 - 09:42 AM]
New Animated Series "Paris & Pups," Inspired by Paris Hilton and Her Real-Life Pets, Set to Premiere on YouTube September 23, 2025
Created for kids 5-8, the series launches with four episodes in week one, followed by weekly episode drops.
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[08/20/25 - 09:18 AM]
ESPN Taps John Cena, Complex, Lyft, Samsung and More in Massive Multi-Platform Marketing Campaign for ESPN Direct-to-Consumer & Enhanced App Launch
The campaign - which features John Cena in its creative TV spots - is designed to build excitement and encourage personalization around the reimagined ESPN App and DTC service.
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[08/20/25 - 09:06 AM]
Tilly Ramsay to "Dish It Out" in New Prime Video Original Series September 5
The 32-episode series will release eight new episodes weekly on Fridays through September 26.
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[08/20/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Reasonable Doubt" Season 3 - Official Trailer - Hulu
After a tumultuous season of fighting to save her best friend from a life sentence while healing from her own deadly affair, Jax Stewart has finally earned some peace in her life... even if she sees it all as a little boring.
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[08/20/25 - 09:01 AM]
Prime Video Names John Wall to NBA on Prime Studio Team
The longtime Washington Wizards guard will make appearances in-studio alongside Blake Griffin, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, Dwyane Wade, Candace Parker and Udonis Haslem.
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[08/20/25 - 09:00 AM]
A24's "Friendship" Begins Streaming Exclusively on HBO Max September 5
The film stars Tim Robinson, Kate Mara, Jack Dylan Grazer, and Paul Rudd.
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[08/20/25 - 09:00 AM]
"Survivor" Announces the 18 New Castaways Competing on the 49th Edition with a Two-Hour Season Premiere on Wednesday, Sept. 24
The series returns with a fresh set of dynamic and determined competitors, including two players who will ultimately compete in the show's landmark 50th season, premiering in spring 2026.
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[08/20/25 - 09:00 AM]
Acorn TV's Brooke Shields Mystery Series "You're Killing Me," Produced by Topsail Entertainment & Shaftesbury, Cast Amalia Williamson and Tom Cavanagh
The six-episode series, which starts production in Nova Scotia, Canada this September, is set to debut on Acorn TV in 2026.
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