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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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[05/05/26 - 04:00 PM]
"The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins" Renewed for Season Two
The series is the #1 new comedy of the 2025-26 season in the 18-49 demo.
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[05/05/26 - 03:52 PM]
ESPN Networks Aired Its Most Viewed First Round of the Current Rights Deal of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs
ESPN also delivered three of the top five matchups in the First Round including the Philadelphia Flyers-Pittsburgh Penguins Game 1 (2.1 million viewers).
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[05/05/26 - 03:36 PM]
NBC and Peacock Deliver the Most-Watched First Round Game 7 in NBA History for Saturday Night's 76ers-Celtics
Saturday night's matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics averaged a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 11.0 million viewers on NBC and Peacock.
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[05/05/26 - 02:24 PM]
FOX Saturday Baseball Flexes Double-Digit Season-to-Date Viewership Increase
2,130,000 viewers tuned-in to FOX on Saturday, May 2, for a two-game slate highlighted by the Cardinals' 3-2 Victory over the Dodgers in most of the country.
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[05/05/26 - 02:01 PM]
MGM+ Releases First Look at "American Hostage" Starring Emmy Award Winner Jon Hamm
The psychological thriller tells the harrowing true story of Fred Heckman, a beloved Indianapolis radio reporter who is thrust into the middle of a life-or-death crisis when hostage-taker Tony Kiritsis demands to be interviewed on his popular radio news program.
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[05/05/26 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of April 27 - The Hunt Continues as "Apex" Takes No. 1 for a Second Week
Plus: Revenge might be a dish best served cold, but "Man on Fire" served it up hot, reaching No. 1 on the English TV list with 11 million views.
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[05/05/26 - 11:46 AM]
The Rolling Stones Bring Three Nights of Satisfaction to "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" This Month
Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood are each set to appear across three separate episodes.
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[05/05/26 - 11:31 AM]
OWN's "Heart & Hustle: Houston" Returns May 30 for a High-Stakes Second Season Filled with Fractured Friendships, Bold New Beginnings and Unstoppable Ambition
This season, the bonds that once united the group are tested like never before.
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[05/05/26 - 11:00 AM]
Video: Sofia Receives a Visit From Rapunzel in Official Trailer for New Series "Sofia the First: Royal Magic," Debuting May 25 on Disney Jr. and Next Day on Disney+
Additionally, a new short-form series, "Sofia the First: Magical Friends," is also available now on the Disney Jr. channel, Disney+, and Disney Jr. YouTube.
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[05/05/26 - 10:31 AM]
Starz's Adrenaline-Fueled New Drama "Fightland" Set to Premiere July 31
The network also released first-look images introducing viewers to the gritty world and the dangerous characters at the heart of the newest family crime drama.
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[05/05/26 - 09:55 AM]
Comedian Larry the Cable Guy to Host New Series "American Mayhem"
The high-energy clip show celebrates the wildest, funniest, and most outrageous moments caught on camera across the U.S., all brought to life by the beloved funnyman whose unmistakable voice and humor have made him a household name.
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[05/05/26 - 09:31 AM]
New Doc "The American Experiment" Marks The Nation's 250th Anniversary
Streaming this June 24 on Netflix, the five-part historical documentary reexamines the improbable achievement that was the nation's founding, and the radical question at the center of the American Revolution: Can a people govern themselves?
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[05/05/26 - 09:01 AM]
Yep! Hulu's "King of the Hill" Season 15 Premieres July 20
Hank and Peggy settle into retirement life on Rainey Street while attempting to keep their neighbors from going off the rails.
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[05/05/26 - 09:00 AM]
The History Channel to Premiere New Documentary "The Clash of Nations: Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling" on June 19
This powerful documentary explores one of the most iconic rivalries in sports history between heavyweight champions Joe Louis and Max Schmeling.
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[05/05/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: Peace Will Have to Wait... "Dutton Ranch" Official Trailer Is Out Now
Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly are joined in the new series by Academy Award nominees Ed Harris and Annette Bening.
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