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[08/22/25 - 11:06 PM]
Development Update: Week of August 18-22
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!
ADVOCATE, THE (ABC, New!) - Tawnya Bhattacharya and Ali Laventhol have sold a legal drama to the Alphabet: "The Advocate is a character-driven legal procedural centered around a brilliant, ruthless attorney who abruptly walks away from her high-powered job to open a small firm after a traumatic brain injury radically alters her personality." Isaac Aptaker, Elizabeth Berger, and Scott Morgan of The Walk-Up Company will also executive produce for 20th Television. (Deadline.com, 8/22)
BLADE RUNNER 2099 (Amazon) - The long-in-the-works "limited series followup to the 2017 movie sequel Blade Runner 2049" is now targeted for a 2026 launch. (Deadline.com, 8/22)
COLIN KAEPERNICK DOCUMENTARY SERIES (ESPN) - Spike Lee's planned documentary series on ex-NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been shuttered by the network. "ESPN, Colin Kaepernick and Spike Lee have collectively decided to no longer proceed with this project as a result of certain creative differences," ESPN said in a statement. "Despite not reaching finality, we appreciate all the hard work and collaboration that went into this film." (Deadline.com, 8/18)
DEXTER: ORIGINAL SIN/DEXTER: RESURRECTION (Showtime) - The "Dexter" prequel series' second season is no longer moving forward; while a writers' room for a proposed second season of the sequel series is set to open imminently. (Variety.com, 8/22)
FAITHFUL, THE (FOX) - The biblical limited series has cast Alexa Davalos as Rebekah, "bold, compassionate, and courageous, she's tested in every imaginable way after a conversation with God sets her on an irreversible path"; Tom Mison as Isaac, "burdened by an inheritance he didn't ask for and haunted by a faith he both fears and yearns to understand"; Tom Payne as Jacob, "a survivor and a strategist who, mired by his position as the second-born son, learns to rely on cunning and determination for the blessing he seeks"; and Ben Robson as Esau, "a hunter and a warrior who carries the weight of expectation placed on the firstborn son." (Deadline.com, 8/21)
GOLDEN BACHELOR, THE (ABC) - Former franchise staple Jason Ehrlich has joined the spin-off as a consulting producer. (Deadline.com, 8/18)
HARRY POTTER LIVE-ACTION SERIES (HBO) - The new adaptation has cast Tristan Harland as Fred Weasley, Gabriel Harland as George Weasley, Ruari Spooner as Percy Weasley; and Gracie Cochrane as Ginny Weasley. (Deadline.com, 8/19)
JOSEPH OF EGYPT (Amazon) - Omid Abtahi will recur on the eight-episode biblical drama as Ankuh. (Deadline.com, 8/20)
KATABASIS (Amazon, New!) - Angela Kang is spearheading a small screen take on R.F. Kuang's new fantasy novel for Amazon MGM Studios: "Kuang's "Katabasis" is a fantastical academic satire that follows Alice Law, a graduate student studying Magick at Cambridge University, as she descends into the underworld to retrieve her deceased advisor, Professor Grimes, in order to get his recommendation to secure her future after graduation. Alice's academic rival, Peter Murdoch, decides to join her, and together they embark on a journey through the courts of Hell in search of Grimes." Kang, Kuang, Kang & Co.'s Mandy Safavi, Ben Smith, and Jeffrey Weiner are the executive producers; with Adam Docksey as a co-executive producer for Captivate Entertainment. (Variety.com, 8/20)
NCIS (CBS) - Nancy Travis will drop by the show's two-part season premiere as Navy Vice Admiral Harriet Parker, "the sister of Gary Cole's Special Agent Alden Parker. When Alden and Harriet are reunited as adults, in the wake of their father Roman's recent murder, fans will quickly discover that their childhood dynamic is still alive and well. But while their sniping might make for good TV, it's also sure to complicate their respective jobs." (TVLine.com, 8/21)
PENGUIN, THE (HBO) - Creator Lauren LeFranc has signed a two-year overall deal with HBO and HBO Max. There she'll develop series projects via her newly launched banner, Acid and Tender Productions. (Variety.com, 8/19)
PERFECT COUPLE, THE (Netflix) - Joanna Calo has exited the proposed second season as showrunner. (Deadline.com, 8/19)
PITT, THE (HBO Max) - Zack Morris will recur on the second season as Jackson Davis, "a patient brought to the ED after an uncontrollable outburst in the college library." (Deadline.com, 8/21)
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (Netflix) - The Jane Austen adaptation has added Jasmine Blackborow as Charlotte Lucas, "the closest friend of lead character Elizabeth Bennet, played by Emma Corrin." (Deadline.com, 8/18)
SHARDS, THE (FX) - Hayes Warner has been cast in the Bret Easton Ellis adaptation as Debbie Shaffer, "a rich prep school girl with the right connects." (Deadline.com, 8/22)
SHIFTING GEARS (ABC) - "Home Improvement" alums Patricia Richardson, Richard Karn, and Debbe Dunning will reunite with Tim Allen on the show's season premiere. (Deadline.com, 8/19)
STRANGER THINGS (Netflix) - Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer have signed "a wide-ranging four-year, exclusive deal for feature films, television, and streaming projects" with Paramount Skydance Corporation. The pact will start at the end of their current Netflix deal in April 2026. The duo, via their Upside Down Pictures banner, however will continue to oversee their active projects at the streamer. (Deadline.com, 8/19)
SUMMER OF SONGBIRDS, THE (Hulu, New!) - Brennan Peters is looking to bring Kristy Woodson Harvey's novel to the small screen at the streamer: "The Summer of Songbirds is a story about the power of forged family - the family we choose, the family we fight to keep, again and again. It revolves around three girlfriends and their unbreakable bond forged in their childhood summers spent in North Carolina. Now in their 30s, each grappling with the harsh realities of adulthood, they're forced to confront secrets and betrayals from both the past and present that threaten to unravel their chosen family." Aaron Kaplan will executive produce alongside Peters and Harvey for Kapital Entertainment and 20th Television. Tiffany Przybyla Wong and Jaiden Kaplan co-executive produce. (Deadline.com, 8/19)
TRUE DETECTIVE (HBO) - Oscar winner Nicolas Cage is in talks to topline the fifth season of the anthology series. (Deadline.com, 8/21)
UNTITLED DAN FOGELMAN NFL SERIES (Hulu) - Mandy Moore has signed onto the series from the "This Is Us" creator as Lauren, "the daughter of NFL team owner Hank Durkin (William H. Macy) and his heir apparent." (Deadline.com, 8/18)
UNTITLED MIKE EPPS PROJECT (CBS, New!) - Mike Epps is attached to star in a multi-camera comedy at the network: "In the untitled half-hour, after wildfires sweep through Altadena, two estranged Black brothers - one played by Epps - reunite to sell their late grandmother's house to private developers. But when they learn her caretaker now owns part of the home and refuses to sell, they're forced to live together and confront their differences - and what community, legacy, and family really mean." Khalabo Ink Society's Kenya Barris is behind the half-hour for BET Studios and CBS Studios with Epps, Niles Kirchner, and Kapital Entertainment's Aaron Kaplan also executive producing. (Deadline.com, 8/19)
VARNELL HILL (BET+) - Kym Whitley will star opposite Tommy Davidson on the eight-episode "Martin" spin-off as Kim Jones, "Varnell's (Davidson) longtime assistant, emotional bodyguard, professional fixer, and the talk show's unofficial executive producer." (Deadline.com, 8/20)
WOLFENSTEIN (Amazon) - Creator Patrick Somerville has signed a two-year television overall deal with producer Amazon MGM Studios. He'll continue to develop new projects alongside Stephanie Jacob-Goldman via their chaoticgood.tv banner. (Variety.com, 8/20)
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[08/27/25 - 12:35 PM]
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month 2025 with PBS
On September 18, the second season premiere of Spanish-language series "Velvet" follows Alberto, who returns from his honeymoon to find a myriad of surprises.
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[08/27/25 - 12:02 PM]
Bravo Heads to Spain When "Below Deck Mediterranean" Returns for Its Milestone 10th Season Premiering Monday, Sept. 29 at 8 P.M. ET/PT
Franchise favorites Capt. Sandy Yawn and Chief Stew Aesha Scott return to lead the ship alongside Nathan Gallagher, the season nine Deckhand upped to Bosun, and a familiar face from season eight, Deckhand Max Salvador.
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[08/27/25 - 10:03 AM]
It's Time to Play "Password," as NBC Renews Emmy Nominated Series for Third Season
Get ready for more outrageous clues, wild guesses and comedic moments as Keke Palmer returns as host alongside wordplay master Jimmy Fallon.
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[08/27/25 - 10:01 AM]
Video: Trailer & Key Art Debut - Hulu Original "Andrew Santino: White Noise"
Andrew Santino's new hilarious Hulu stand up special "White Noise" will undoubtedly solve all the world's problems for eternity.
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[08/27/25 - 09:17 AM]
Pluto TV and CBS Partner to Stream Just-Concluded Full Seasons of Six Hit CBS Originals for Free Ahead of New Primetime Season
"Elsbeth," "Fire Country," "Ghosts," "Matlock," "NCIS: Origins," and "Watson" are the featured series.
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[08/27/25 - 09:06 AM]
Video: Peacock Releases Sneak Peek Clip from "The Paper"
"The Paper" premieres with all 10 episodes on September 4.
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[08/27/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Larry the Cable Guy: It's a Gift" - Official Trailer - Prime Video
A gift with a side of gluttony. "Larry the Cable Guy: It's a Gift" arrives September 12.
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[08/27/25 - 08:50 AM]
NBC's "Sunday Night Football" & "Football Night in America" Kick Off 20th Season Next Thurs., Sept. 4 on NBC and Peacock
"Sunday Night Football" celebrates season 20 showcasing high-profile matchups featuring the NFL's biggest stars and best rivalries from NFL Kickoff next week to sports' biggest spectacle - Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026, on NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo.
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[08/27/25 - 08:19 AM]
Prime Video Reveals First-Look Images and Premiere Date for Harlan Coben's "Lazarus," Starring Sam Claflin and Bill Nighy
All six episodes will be released on Wednesday, October 22 exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
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[08/27/25 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "All of You" - Official Trailer - Apple TV+
Brett Goldstein and Imogen Poots challenge the notion of a soulmate in "All of You."
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[08/27/25 - 07:01 AM]
"Monster: The Ed Gein Story" Premieres October 3 on Netflix
Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan's groundbreaking anthology series returns with its third, most harrowing installment yet.
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[08/27/25 - 07:01 AM]
Season Three of ESPN Original Series "Eli's Places" Premieres Today, Exclusively on ESPN+
Produced by Omaha Productions and NFL Films, the 10-episode series follows Eli Manning as he takes on his own version of his brother's signature show to explore what makes college football a way of life across the country.
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[08/27/25 - 07:00 AM]
A Historic Concert from Vatican City, Co-Directed by Pharrell Williams and Maestro Andrea Bocelli, to Stream Live Exclusively on Disney+, Hulu, and ABC News Live September 13
The special includes live musical performances by Pharrell Williams with the Voices of Fire Gospel Choir, Maestro Andrea Bocelli, Karol G, John Legend, Clipse, Teddy Swims, Jelly Roll, Angélique Kidjo, additional international choristers, and more.
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[08/27/25 - 06:31 AM]
Video: "The Guest" - Official Trailer - Netflix
A couple trying to save their marriage after an affair are thrown into turmoil when a mysterious woman from the wife's past shows up at their home.
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[08/27/25 - 06:27 AM]
ESPN and Cam Newton Agree to New Multi-Year Deal
ESPN has reached a new multi-year agreement with former NFL MVP Cam Newton, who will expand his role on "First Take," ESPN's signature morning debate show.
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