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[05/23/08 - 05:22 PM]
Development Update: Friday, May 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!
24 (FOX) - Eric Lively ("The L Word"), Tony Todd ("Chuck") and Gil Bellows ("The Agency") have all booked roles on the show's two-hour prequel, which will feature Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) battling an international crisis in Africa while the U.S. ushers in a new president on Inauguration Day. Lively will play the president's son with Todd as General Juma, a cruel African dictator; and Bellows as a State Department officer ordered to serve Jack Bauer with a subpoena and to appear before the Senate. It's not clear if any of the actors will carry over into the seventh season. They join the previously cast Robert Carlyle as Benton, Jack's mentor in Africa, in the event, which premieres Sunday, November 23.
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JIMMY JAXX (FOX, New!) - Smart Entertainment ("Blades of Glory") is looking to develop a new animated series loosely based on the life of Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee. The project, which is still in the early stages of development, would revolve around a rocker who attempts to balance his crazy lifestyle on the road with a calmer existence at home, not to mention his tattoos, which literally come to life and are constantly trying to lead him down the wrong path. The company's John Jacobs is executive producing the project alongside writers Michael Davidoff ("Working"), Steven Ilous ("Polar Express"), Bill Rosenthal ("Tripping the Rift") and Steve Freeman ("Stripperella"). In addition to lending his voice, Lee will serve as a producer.
ROMAN'S EMPIRE (ABC) - Kelsey Grammer ("Back to You") has been tapped as the title character on the single-camera comedy pilot, about Leo Park (Nick Thune), a lovable guy who, after getting dumped by his girlfriend, tries but cannot extricate himself from her wealthy family, the Prettys, and her outrageous, overbearing father, Roman (Grammer). Also landing roles in the CBS Paramount Network Television/Katalyst Films/Tiger Aspect Productions-based project are Christine Woods as Nikki, Leo's aforementioned girlfriend; Laura Leigh and Carla Gallo as Nikki's sisters Kelly and Jenny; and Zachary Knighton as either Nikki's new boyfriend Seb or Leo's best friend Jace. Alan J. Higgins penned the pilot script and is executive producing alongside Andrew Zein, Ashton Kutcher, Ben Cavey, Jason Goldberg and Karey Burke. Marc Buckland is directing.
SINGLE WITH PARENTS (ABC) - Meagen Fay ("How I Met Your Mother") has joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about a thirtysomething woman (Alyssa Milano) who tries to break free of her overbearing and dysfunctional family, friends and boss. She'll play Nancy, who's detailed in the casting notice as follows: "Middle aged, doughy, sweet-looking, nurturing, good-natured. Nancy is Joe's new fiancee, and the mother of 30something Charlie. A motherly mother who bakes cookies and knows how to cook, Nancy doesn't swear - she says things like "Sweet Cheeses" - but she doesn't mind turning her hand at her future step-kids' new Wii and she very sweetly (but pointedly) makes a comment about Elizabeth's age in response to a crack about her own. She's sweet, but she's got everyone's number, and she will be an ally for Lou in trying to get Joe to be a more responsible parent. Like her son, she's unfazed by the chaotic new family she's about to step into." Amanda Detmer, Annie Potts, Beau Bridges and Eric Winter also star in the half-hour, which comes from ABC Studios, DreamWorks Television and creator Kristin Newman.
SONS OF ANARCHY (FX) - Ron Perlman has joined the cast of the upcoming drama, about a notorious outlaw motorcycle club's efforts to protect their California town from drug dealers and local corporate developers. He'll take over for Scott Glenn as Clay Morrow, the club's president and stepfather of the central character, Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam). It's understood the change was made as part of an effort to shift the project's tone in a more darkly comedic direction. Drea de Matteo, Katey Sagal and Maggie Siff also star in the hour, which was created by Kurt Sutter. Allen Coulter helmed the pilot.
UNTITLED VICTOR FRESCO PROJECT (ABC) - Jay Harrington ("Desperate Housewives") has scored the lead role in the pilot, an office comedy that centers on Ted (Harrington), the highly moral head of research and development at a major company. Also signing on are Malcolm Barrett and Jonathan Slavin as two of the company's researchers. They all join the previously cast Andrea Anders and Portia de Rossi. Victor Fresco created the 20th Century Fox Television-based half-hour, which Mike Fresco is directing.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[11/25/25 - 12:29 PM]
The Second and Final Season of the HBO Original Drama Series "Like Water for Chocolate" Debuts February 15
The series returns Sunday, February 15 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET) on HBO Latino in the U.S. and will be available to stream on HBO Max.
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[11/25/25 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of November 17 - 3 Cheers for "Champagne Problems" at No. 1 in This Week's Top 10
Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys continued to keep audiences guessing in their psychological thriller "The Beast in Me," which took the No. 1 spot on the English TV list for a second week with 14.1 million views.
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[11/25/25 - 11:30 AM]
TNT Sports Unveils World Class Commentators for First-Ever World Sevens Football 7v7 Soccer Tournament in North America - Coverage Kicks Off Friday, Dec. 5
The fast-paced W7F series has redefined women's soccer with elite talent from eight of the best clubs in the world, an immersive fan-first experience, and a groundbreaking $5 million prize pool, the largest in the sport, designed to fuel intense, high-stakes competition.
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[11/25/25 - 10:31 AM]
Toby Wallace Is Entering the World of "Assassin's Creed"
He's the first series regular cast for the live-action series adaptation of Ubisoft's best-selling video game franchise.
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[11/25/25 - 10:02 AM]
Hulu Renews Hit Emmy Award-Nominated Series "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives"
The series has been renewed for a 20-episode order, with new episodes coming early 2026.
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[11/25/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Sean Combs: The Reckoning" - Date Announcement - Netflix
This documentary series unpacks the shocking allegations behind Sean "Diddy" Combs and his Bad Boy empire, spanning decades of his life and career.
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[11/25/25 - 09:01 AM]
"Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" Will Stream on Paramount+ Starting December 4
The jaw-dropping eighth film in one of the most iconic film series of all time will stream on Paramount+ in the U.S. and Canada.
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[11/25/25 - 09:01 AM]
Prime Video Unveils First Look Images of "Scarpetta," Based on Patricia Cornwell's Bestselling Novels, Premiering March 11
The crime thriller series stars Nicole Kidman, Jamie Lee Curtis, Bobby Cannavale, Simon Baker, Ariana DeBose, Rosy McEwen, Amanda Righetti, Jake Cannavale, and Hunter Parrish.
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[11/25/25 - 08:31 AM]
"Wednesday" Season 3: Eva Green Joins the Addams Family as Aunt Ophelia
"I'm thrilled to join the woefully twisted world of 'Wednesday' as Aunt Ophelia," said Green. "This show is such a deliciously dark and witty world, I can't wait to bring my own touch of cuckooness to the Addams family."
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[11/25/25 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Star Search" - Official Teaser - Netflix
Netflix's iconic talent competition series will premiere live on January 13, 2026 with Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actor Anthony Anderson set to host.
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[11/25/25 - 01:01 AM]
Video: "How to Ruin Love: The Lobola" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Wedding bells are ringing - or are they? With feuding families and complicated lobola negotiations, Zoleka's walk down the aisle is anything but certain.
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[11/25/25 - 12:01 AM]
Video: "The Town" - Official Trailer - Netflix
A group of cash-strapped friends find their morals and relationships tested when they stumble upon a stolen fortune in their hometown.
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[11/24/25 - 03:18 PM]
FX Orders Anthology Series "Far Cry" to Stream on Hulu
The limited series from Noah Hawley and Rob Mac, with Mac set in the starring role, is based on Ubisoft's global hit video game franchise of the same title and the series will retain "Far Cry's" signature standalone storytelling format, with each season set in a new setting following a new cast of characters.
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[11/24/25 - 03:01 PM]
Netflix's "One Piece" Season 3 Begins Production & Four Cast Members Upped to Series Regulars
Mikaela Hoover (Chopper), Joe Manganiello (Mr. 0), Lera Abova (Miss All Sunday) and Sendhil Ramamurthy (Nefartari Cobra) have been upped to series regulars for Season 3.
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[11/24/25 - 02:08 PM]
The Nader Sisters Will Take a Second Bite Out of the Big Apple as "Love Thy Nader" Is Renewed for Season Two on Hulu and Freeform
The bold coming-of-age reality series follows the unapologetic and determined Nader sisters - Brooks, Mary Holland, Grace Ann and Sarah Jane - who left their humble beginnings in the Louisiana bayou for the glamour and grind of New York City.
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