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[02/01/08 - 06:16 PM]
Development Update: Week of January 28-February 1
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!
ABC FAMILY ORIGINAL SERIES (ABC Family) - The cable channel has firmed up its original series plans for 2008 and beyond. It's understood recently completed pilots "The Middleman" and "Roomies" have been ordered to series as has a new untitled hour from "7th Heaven" creator Brenda Hampton. "Middleman," from writer-producer Javier Grillo-Marxuach, stars Natalie Morales as a twentysomething struggling artist who's recruited by a secret agency to fight comic book-type villains alongside the title character (Matt Keeslar), a sci-fi superhero who serves as her guide. Jeremiah Chechik directed the pilot, which also stars Britt Morgan and Mary Pat Gleason. As for "Roomies," the multi-camera comedy stars Tyler Francavilla and David Weidoff as, you guessed it, roommates. Kieron Quirke and Robin French created the project, which is also executive produced by Michael Hanel and Mindy Schultheis of Acme Productions. Andy Cadiff directed the pilot. And finally, the Hampton hour is described as a teen relationship series similar in sensibility to "Juno." All three newcomers are said to have commitments of at least six episodes. "Middleman" and "Roomies" were part of a quartet of pilots ordered last year, the others being "Samurai Girl" and "Happy Campers." Hampton's project is believed to be a straight series commitment, contingent on casting the lead role.
Meanwhile in related ABC Family news, the network is in talks with Canadian broadcaster CBC to import the comedy "Sophie," about a young woman (Natalie Brown) whose picture-perfect life comes crashing down. 13 episodes have been completed of the half-hour, which bowed on January 9 on the network. Sebastian Spence, Amy Lalonde, Jeff Geddis, Mimi Kuzyk, Sara Botsford, Chantelle Chung and Catherine B�rub� also star in the project, which comes from Jocelyn Deschenes of Sphere Media Plus. The show itself is based on a French-language series that aired in Quebec before it was transplanted to the CBC. Lastly, ABC Family also confirmed a decision is expected soon on the fate of "Lincoln Heights" while "Wildfire," currently in its fourth season, won't be renewed for a fifth season.
DIRT (FX) - FX has confirmed Danny Comden ("I'm With Her") has completed a three-episode arc on the show's upcoming second season. He plays Ted Rothman, an almost-divorced president of a major TV studio who wants to rekindle a romance with Courtney Cox's character. The new season bows Sunday, March 2.
FRINGE (FOX) - Australian actress Anna Torv has scored the lead role on the two-hour drama pilot, about a young, tough FBI agent who is forced to confront the spread of unexplained phenomena and work with an institutionalized scientist whose work might be at the center of a coming storm. She'll play Olivia Warren, the agent in question. Also signing on are Blair Brown and Jasika Nicole. The former will play Nina Cord, a 16-year veteran at Prometheus Corp., a cutting-edge research facility, while Jasika Nicole is playing the recurring role of Astrid Farnsworth, a stunning federal assistant. They join the previously cast John Noble, Kirk Acevedo, Lance Reddick and Mark Valley. Alex Graves is helming the Warner Bros. Television/Bad Robot-based drama, which comes from co-creators Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and J.J. Abrams. The group also executive produces alongside Bad Robot's Bryan Burk.
UNTITLED FASHION MAGAZINE ASSISTANT PROJECT (The CW, New!) - "America's Next Top Model's" Tyra Banks and Ken Mok have scored a series commitment from the netlet for a new reality series in which aspiring assistants compete to become assistant editors at a fashion magazine. The project, which has an eight-episode commitment, is expected to begin production in April for a launch in late spring or summer. As for specifics, each episode will feature two different challenges - an individual one and a team one with the winner of the former making the pairings for the latter. Each team challenge then will focus on submitting a page for "The Book," a mock edition of the magazine, with the loser's page going in the trash and one of its members being sent home. Banks and Mok will executive produce the project via their respective banners, Bankable Productions and 10x10 Entertainment, alongside Eli Holzman, who developed "Project Runway" at Miramax Television, and Full Picture's Jane Cha and Desiree Gruber, fashion experts and managers of "Runway" host Heidi Klum. It's understood the "Runway" team came up the initial idea for the series and pitched it to the CW, who in turn paired them with Banks and Mok. Talks are underway with various magazines to sponsor the show with the editors themselves likely appearing as judges. It's not clear if Banks herself will appear on camera.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[11/10/25 - 12:00 PM]
Jessica Alba and Lizzy Mathis Return as Roku Originals Orders Fourth Season of "Honest Renovations" After Strong Season Three Performance
Additionally, Roku has greenlit a third installment of "Honest Renovations: A Holiday Home Makeover," set to premiere during the 2026 holiday season.
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[11/10/25 - 11:32 AM]
Emmy Award-Winning Series "The Pitt" to Debut on TNT Monday, December 1 at 9PM ET/PT
As part of a special programming event, three back-to-back episodes will air weekly on Mondays through December 29 on TNT.
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[11/10/25 - 10:31 AM]
"A Different World" Sequel Series Heads Back to Hillman College
Free-spirited freshman Deborah Wayne, daughter of Dwayne and Whitley, is setting out to build her own legacy alongside a whole new generation of Hillman's best and brightest.
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[11/10/25 - 10:01 AM]
"Avatar: The Last Airbender" Wraps Production on Third and Final Season
Netflix adds that Season 2 news is "coming very soon."
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[11/10/25 - 09:30 AM]
Starz Announces March 6, 2026, Premiere Date and Unveils Dramatic New Key Art for the Eighth and Final Season of the Timeless Romance "Outlander"
In the final chapter of "Outlander," a heart-wrenching journey lies ahead for Claire and Jamie's enduring love story.
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[11/10/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "The Merchants of Joy" - Official Trailer - Prime Video
Meet the Merchants of Joy, a new documentary premiering at DOC NYC next month and coming to Prime Video December 1.
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[11/10/25 - 09:00 AM]
Grab Your Remote and Rally Your Bravo Besties - BravoCon Begins Streaming on Peacock Nov. 14
Viewers can stream the Bravoverse Live Stage in real time and revisit panels on-demand, while every Gold and Glam Stage panel will be available next day at 12 p.m. ET - bringing the Vegas excitement straight to living rooms nationwide.
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[11/10/25 - 08:31 AM]
"With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration" - Date Announcement & Key Art Debut
This December, join Meghan in Montecito for a magical holiday celebration. Together, friends and family deck the halls, create holiday feasts, craft heartfelt gifts, and share lots of laughs - with simple how-tos to follow at home.
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[11/10/25 - 08:06 AM]
Video: "The Gold" Season 2 Preview
Season two also welcomes new faces, including Tom Hughes, Stefanie Martini, Thomas Coombes, and Tamsin Topolski.
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[11/10/25 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Missing: Dead or Alive?" - Season 2 Official Trailer - Netflix
A young woman disappears in the dead of night. A man vanishes without his vital possessions. Police tackle new cases in this chilling true-crime series.
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[11/10/25 - 08:01 AM]
Video: Trailer & Key Art - Hulu Original "Sebastian Maniscalco: It Ain't Right"
The latest special in the Hularious stand-up slate premieres Friday, November 21 on Hulu, and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers, in the US, and on Disney+ internationally.
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[11/10/25 - 08:00 AM]
Video: Peacock Debuts Trailer for Sports Docuseries "Here Come the Irish" as New Season Premieres on Monday, Dec. 8
"Here Come the Irish" documents the legendary football team through their grit, determination and brotherhood along with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with those closest to the program.
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[11/10/25 - 06:40 AM]
Full Rosters Announced for "Optum Golf Channel Games" - Live Primetime Competition Featuring Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler on Golf Channel and USA Network December 17
Team Rory will include Shane Lowry, Luke Donald, and Haotong Li; and Team Scottie will feature Keegan Bradley, Sam Burns, and Luke Clanton.
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[11/10/25 - 06:15 AM]
"Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" Marks Historic First as Chicago Hosts Live Central Time Countdown
Joining New York City's Times Square live East Coast Time zone countdown and the only broadcast Spanish language live Atlantic Time zone countdown from Puerto Rico, Chicago will bring the city's energy and New Year's festivities directly into homes across the nation.
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[11/10/25 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Owning Manhattan" - Season 2 Official Trailer - Netflix
Ryan Serhant aims to break into the posh uptown housing market, but will team rivalries, egos, gossip and betrayals stand in the way of success?
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