 |
 |
[02/25/10 - 12:01 AM]
Development Update: Thursday, February 25
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!
BODY OF EVIDENCE (ABC) - John Carroll Lynch ("K-Ville"), Windell Middlebrooks ("Scrubs") and Geoffrey Arend ("Trust Me") are the first to be cast in the drama pilot, about Dr. Megan Hunt, "a brilliant and tenacious neurosurgeon-turned-medical examiner." Lynch will play Bud Morris, a detective who initially butts heads with Hunt. Middlebrooks then is set as Dr. Semo Solomona, the Deputy Chief Medical Examiner (originally written for "a Samoan man whose girth brings new meaning to 'throwing his weight around the office.'"). Rounding out the trio is Arend as Dr. Elliot Gross, "boyish, geeky in an endearing way, and utterly non-threatening," another doctor at the ME's office. Chris Murphey penned the hour, which is set up at ABC Studios.
CHAOS (CBS) - Tim Blake Nelson ("The Incredible Hulk") is the latest addition to the drama pilot, about "a group of rogue CIA operatives combating bureaucratic gridlock, rampant incompetence and political infighting." He's believed to be playing Casey Malick, an ex-marine who considers himself a human weapon and expresses "little interest in people [and] content to spend his days inside a gym, or in his own head." Freddy Rodriguez and James Murray also star in the 20th Century Fox Television-based hour, which Brett Ratner is directing from a script by Tom Spezialy.
CRASH (Starz) - The pay channel has reportedly passed on a third season of the drama, based on the Oscar-winning film of the same name. Said report indicates the series "failed to meet audience expectations and led to a writeoff of $8 million derived from production costs in the fourth quarter." "Crash" wrapped its sophomore run back in December.
THE EVENT (NBC) - Scott Patterson ("Gilmore Girls") and Sarah Roemer ("Fired Up!") have both signed onto the drama pilot, about Sean (Jason Ritter), "a regular man fighting his way through the mysterious circumstances of a conspiracy to assassinate the U.S. president." She'll play Sean's girlfriend, Leila Gasiorowski, "an MIT-educated biochemist who disappears as part of the conspiracy to force her father, Mark Gasiorowski (Patterson, described as "affable, Marlboro Man good looks"), an airline pilot, to crash an airliner into the presidential retreat." Nick Wauters is behind the Universal Media Studios-based hour, which also stars Ian Anthony Dale and Zeljko Ivanek.
FRESHMEN (ABC) - "The Deep End" co-star Ben Lawson has been cast in the comedy pilot, about "three first-year members of Congress who live together in a row house in Washington." He'll play one of them, Vince Rapp, who's "classically good looking, in a 'frat president' kind of way, works out, perfect hair, etc." Lawson's involvement is in second position to the midseason drama, which isn't expected to return. Sarah Chalke and Taran Killam also star in the half-hour, which comes from creator Greg Malins. Pamela Fryman is directing for 20th Century Fox Television.
HMS (The CW) - Megan Boone ("My Bloody Valentine") has been tapped for the lead role on the drama pilot, about the freshmen class at Harvard Medical School. She'll play Nell Larson, "a first-year HMS student intimidated by her new surroundings." Also signing on as her fellow classmates are Sarah Jones ("Sons of Anarchy") as Brittany Lace ("classy, fearless, super bright, super rich") and Tasso Feldman ("CSI: NY") as Leo ("tall, arrogant"). Amy Holden Jones penned the script to the project, which also features Hayden Panettiere as a co-executive producer. CBS Television Studios and Warner Bros. Television are co-producing.
HOW TO BE A BETTER AMERICAN (ABC) - Jason Jones ("The Daily Show With Jon Stewart") has been cast as the lead in the comedy pilot, about "a father who embarks on a journey to be a better person and drags his family along kicking and screaming." He'll play said man, Hugh Pell, in the half-hour, which comes from co-creators Brian Bradley and Steven Cragg. ABC Studios is producing.
THE ODDS (CBS) - Kelly Hu ("CSI: NY") has scored a role on the drama pilot, about two Las Vegas cops (Donald Faison, Sullivan Stapleton) who are as outrageous as the crimes they solve. She's set as Tanya Jin, an "intelligent and attractive" Assistant District Attorney who sees the best in our heroes. Kenneth Fink is helming the Warner Bros. Television-based hour, which was penned by Jeff Wadlow.
PRIME SUSPECT (NBC) - The Peacock has postponed production on the drama pilot until June. Said development is the result of casting issues as the producers have yet to find their Jane Tennison (played by Helen Mirren in the original U.K. series). Mick Jackson is attached to helm the two-hour pilot off a script by Hank Steinberg. Erwin Stoff and Paul Buccieri also serve as executive producers for Universal Media Studios and ITV Studios.
SUGARLOAF (A&E) - The cable channel is expected to formally announce today it has ordered the drama pilot to series. Matt Passmore stars in the Miami-set hour, about "a homicide detective who's run out of Chicago following a sex scandal and becomes wrapped up in a murder case." Clifton Campbell is behind the Fox Television Studios-based project, which could roll out as early as this summer. 13 episodes are set to be shot on location with Campbell executive producing alongside Gary A. Randall. Carlos Gomez, Kiele Sanchez and Uriah Shelton co-starred in the pilot, which was directed by Peter O'Fallon.
TRAFFIC LIGHT (FOX) - David Denman ("The Office") is set to star in the comedy pilot, about three best friends in Chicago who are in various stages of their relationships. He'll play Mike, "the red light," a married lawyer "who still is trying to get this male-female thing down pat." Nelson Franklin also stars in the half-hour, which comes from Bob Fisher and 20th Century Fox Television.
UNTITLED DOV DAVIDOFF/NEAL BRENNAN PROJECT (Showtime, New!) - Comedians Dov Davidoff and Neal Brennan have booked a pilot presentation order from the pay channel for a new hybrid comedy series. Chernin Entertainment and Fox 21 are behind the project, which will feature the duo as they "begin each day at a coffee shop discussing dating, relationships and other personal matters." The show then will "veer into sketches, man-on-the-street interviews and other elements to enhance the themes the two discuss." Brennan and Davidoff will co-write the pilot and executive produce alongside Peter Chernin and Katherine Pope.
WRIGHT VS. WRONG (ABC) - Andy Fickman ("Race to Witch Mountain") has been tapped to direct the comedy pilot, about a female Republican pundit and her staff. He'll work from a script by Stephanie Weir. Sony Pictures Television and Tantamount are co-producing with the latter's Eric Tannenbaum, Kim Tannenbaum and Mitch Hurwitz also serving as executive producers.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
|
|
|
 [march 2026]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[03/31/26 - 10:13 AM]
BET Experience FanFest Tickets Now on Sale for June 25-27 in Los Angeles
General admission is free, and VIP tickets are available now at betexperience.com.
|
[03/31/26 - 10:01 AM]
Netflix's "Age of Attraction" Gets Second Shot at Love with Season 2 Renewal
Season 1 debuted in the Netflix English TV Top 10, where it has remained since its release, reaching the Top 10 in 26 countries.
|
[03/31/26 - 09:50 AM]
TNT Sports to Serve Up Banana Ball this Summer on truTV & HBO Max
TNT Sports will showcase 15 Banana Ball games this summer on truTV and HBO Max, presented by Tropical Smoothie Cafe, beginning Friday, May 8 at Truist Park - home of the Atlanta Braves - when the Savannah Bananas face the Party Animals as part of the Banana Ball World Tour.
|
[03/31/26 - 09:00 AM]
HBO Max and Warner Bros. Television Partner with Alamo Drafthouse to Host Nationwide Healthcare Appreciation Screenings for "The Pitt" Season 2 Finale
Screenings will take place on Monday, April 13, at select Alamo Drafthouse locations nationwide.
|
[03/31/26 - 08:31 AM]
Netflix to Stream "The 51st AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy" on May 31
The award will be presented to Murphy at a Gala Tribute at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on April 18, 2026.
|
[03/31/26 - 08:02 AM]
Video: Miss Mary Bennet Takes the Floor - BritBox Debuts Official Trailer and Key Art for "The Other Bennet Sister," Premiering May 6
The 10-episode series will debut with three episodes, followed by a weekly episodic rollout.
|
[03/31/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Son-In-Law" - Official Trailer - Netflix
José Sánchez becomes a feared political operator after a rough patch, but this time neither his memorable mustache nor his sharp tongue will be enough.
|
[03/31/26 - 08:00 AM]
First Look: Hulu Original Series "Alice and Steve," Starring Jemaine Clement & Nicola Walker
Alice is devastated when her best friend Steve starts dating her 26-year-old daughter Izzy.
|
[03/31/26 - 08:00 AM]
Video: Prime Video Drops Official Trailer for the Iconic Competition Series "American Gladiators" Featuring Original Music from Jelly Roll
The first three episodes of the series will premiere on Friday, April 17, 2026, on Prime Video, followed by three new episodes releasing Friday April 24, and the final four episodes releasing on Friday May 1.
|
[03/31/26 - 07:31 AM]
Video: "Noah Kahan: Out of Body" - Official Trailer - Netflix
After rocketing to global fame, singer-songwriter Noah Kahan faces the pressure of what comes next.
|
[03/31/26 - 07:00 AM]
Beyond the Headlines: Award-Winning Documentary "One Golden Summer" - The Story of Brotherhood, Resilience, and the Jackie Robinson West Champions Premieres on TBS and OWN
In the summer of 2014, a group of boys from the South Side of Chicago did the impossible: they captured the hearts of a nation, becoming the first all-Black team to win the U.S. Little League Championship.
|
[03/31/26 - 07:00 AM]
Video: Prime Video Debuts Official Trailer for "Jerry West: The Logo"
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Kenya Barris in his documentary debut, "Jerry West: The Logo" will premiere April 16, exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
|
[03/31/26 - 06:01 AM]
"Avatar: The Last Airbender" Season Two Returns June 25 on Netflix
After a bittersweet victory saving the Northern Water Tribe from the invading Fire Nation, Avatar Aang (Gordon Cormier), Katara (Kiawentiio) and Sokka (Ian Ousley) regroup and set off on a mission to convince the elusive Earth King to aid in their battle against fearsome Fire Lord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim).
|
[03/31/26 - 06:01 AM]
HBO, NFL Films, and the Reigning Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks Announce "Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Seattle Seahawks," Debuting August 11
Looking ahead, the New England Patriots, Super Bowl LX runner-up and six-time champions, will be the show's featured training camp team in August 2027.
|
[03/31/26 - 06:01 AM]
Video: Apple TV's "Cape Fear" Unveils Teaser for New Psychological Horror Thriller
The 10-episode limited series will make its global debut on Friday, June 5, 2026 with the first two episodes, followed by new episodes every Friday through July 31, 2026 on Apple TV.
|
|
|
|
