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[05/07/08 - 05:24 PM]
Development Update: Wednesday, May 7
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!
CAPRICA (Sci Fi) - Esai Morales ("Jericho") has been tapped for one of the lead roles in the upcoming two-hour/backdoor pilot, a prequel to the network's "Battlestar Galactica." He'll play Joseph Adama, the father of William Adama (Edward James Olmos in the current series), a deeply passionate man with a strong sense of justice and someone you wouldn't want as your enemy. He joins Paula Malcomson on the Universal Media Studios-based project, which comes from creators Remi Aubuchon and Ronald D. Moore. Jeffrey Reiner is directing.
HARD KNOCKS (HBO) - The Dallas Morning News reported today that the HBO series will revisit the Dallas Cowboys for its fourth season, due this summer. The show's 2002 edition followed the eventual 5-11 team under then coach Dave Campo. It's understood NFL Films will begin the five-to-six-week production in late July at the team's Oxnard, California training facility.
LIFE ON MARS (ABC) - "October Road" creators Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec and Scott Rosenberg are reportedly in talks to come aboard the potential freshman drama as its executive producers/showrunners. Appelbaum and Nemec are based at ABC Studios which likewise is in negotiations to co-produce the series alongside 20th Century Fox Television. The group however is waiting to get the blessing from creator David E. Kelley, who penned and executive produced the long-in-the-works pilot. It's believed financial considerations are the impetus for Kelley's exit. Kudos Film and Television's Jane Featherstone and Stephen Garrett are still on board as executive producers. Tommy Schlamme helmed the pilot, which stars Jason O'Mara as a cop, who after being hit by a car in the present day, finds himself transported to the 1970s.
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS (ABC, New!) - The Alphabet is said to be moving forward with a new game show from Katalyst Films and 3 Ball Productions in which the game is literally taken to the contestants' homes. Family members then can win everything from cash to plasma TVs by answering trivia questions about their lives and about items found in and around their home. 3 Ball's JD Roth and Todd A. Nelson are executive producing the project alongside Katalyst's Ashton Kutcher, Jason Goldberg and Karey Burke.
UGLY BETTY (ABC) - The sophomore dramedy is set to relocate to New York City next season following the state's decision to triple its tax credit for film and TV productions to 30%, with New York City proper offering an additional 5% credit. "Betty's" pilot was actually shot in New York City before ABC Studios shifted production to Los Angeles. The move nevertheless will likely cause 150 L.A. crew members to lose their jobs, however most are expected to be reassigned to other studio-based properties. Conversely, the majority of the show's ensemble cast are already based in New York themselves. The "Betty" writers are expected to remain on the West Coast.
UNTITLED EDIE FALCO PROJECT (Showtime) - Peter Facinelli, Paul Schulze, Merritt Wever, Eve Best and Haaz Sleiman have all joined the cast of the Edie Falco-led comedy pilot, about a strong-willed New York nurse (Falco). In addition, Anna Deavere Smith has signed on as a recurring character - Mrs. Akalitus, the reluctant hospital administrator. As for the principal members, Facinelli will play Dr. Cooper, a likable "golden boy" who appears to be in control but is actually a bundle of nerves; Schulze is set as Falco's boyfriend, Eddie, a pharmacy tech; with Wever as Zoey, a first-year nurse; Sleiman as Maurice, a.k.a. "Momo," a gay Muslim nurse; and Best as Dr. O'Hara, a loner whose only friend at the hospital is Falco's character. Evan Dunsky is behind the Lionsgate Television-based project, which Allen Coulter is directing.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[03/27/26 - 03:16 PM]
Official Trailer for HBO's Harry Potter Series, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," Shatters Records as HBO and HBO Max's Most-Watched Ever by More Than Double, Amassing +277 Million Organic Views in 48 Hours
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[03/27/26 - 01:01 PM]
Hugely Popular "Chicago" Series Set to Return to NBC in the Fall
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[03/27/26 - 10:01 AM]
Netflix Rounds Out Cast of "Kennedy" with Production Underway in London
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[03/27/26 - 09:48 AM]
FOX Sports Assembles Top-Tier Roster for 2026 Major League Baseball Regular Season Coverage
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[03/27/26 - 09:46 AM]
ABC News Is #1 in Total Viewers in Late-Night, Friday Night and Sunday Morning
"20/20" scored its best Adults 25-54 performance in 11 months.
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[03/27/26 - 09:21 AM]
"The Morning Show" News Incoming - Sean Hayes Joins the Cast of Season 5
Apple TV confirmed the news on social media this morning.
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[03/27/26 - 08:01 AM]
HBO Original Documentary Series "The Dark Wizard" Debuts April 14
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[03/27/26 - 07:01 AM]
ESPN Original "Why Not Us: UMES Volleyball" to Premiere March 30
Presented by Andscape and produced by Sport & Story, the latest installment follows the inspiring journey of the newly formed men's volleyball team at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore - the first men's volleyball program at a Division I HBCU.
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[03/26/26 - 02:05 PM]
"The Madison" Marks Taylor Sheridan's Biggest Debut Season Launch with 8 Million Views Globally for Paramount+
The debut of the six-part series also marks the biggest freshman season launch for the prolific creator among women 35+.
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[03/26/26 - 12:49 PM]
Apple Original Films Lands New Sci-Fi Thriller "Liminal"
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[03/26/26 - 12:01 PM]
"After the Flood" Returns to BritBox: Tensions Rise in High-Stakes Season Two Premiere
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[03/26/26 - 12:00 PM]
ESPN NBA Schedule Update: Atlanta Hawks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Added on April 8
The game replaces the previously scheduled Milwaukee Bucks vs. Detroit Pistons matchup.
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[03/26/26 - 11:30 AM]
BET and Paramount+ Announce the Sixth Season Renewal of Multi-Emmy-Nominated Comedy "The Ms. Pat Show"
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[03/26/26 - 11:01 AM]
"Saturday Night Live" Springs Into April with Back-to-Back Episodes
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[03/26/26 - 10:03 AM]
Sony Pictures Television Advertiser Sales Heads Into 2026 Upfront Bringing Advertisers Branded Content Opportunities Within High Volume of Originals and a Safe Harbor of Entertainment Programming
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