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[10/15/08 - 06:10 PM]
Development Update: Wednesday, October 15
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!
THE AMAZING MRS. NOVAK (Lifetime) - Amy Pietz ("Aliens in America"), Tom Verica ("American Dreams") and Kristen Dattilo ("The Chris Isaak Show") are the first to be cast in the drama pilot, about a supermarket manager who unexpectedly becomes the governor of New Jersey. Pietz will play the title role of Trish Novak with Verica as her husband Frank and Dattilo as her sister-in-law Goldie. Vanessa Taylor is behind the hour, which comes from Warner Horizon Television and Kudos Film & Television. Carolyn Bernstein, Jane Featherstone and Stephen Garrett also serve as executive producers.
ELI STONE/THE GOODE FAMILY (ABC) - The Alphabet has asked for four more scripts of "Eli Stone," which returned for its second season last night. It's understood the network is pleased with the episodes filmed to date and gave the actual go ahead shortly before yesterday's premiere. Meanwhile, midseason entry "The Goode Family" has likewise been asked for seven additional scripts. The early request is a result of the lead time needed to potentially produce additional episodes the series, an animated comedy from "King of the Hill" co-creator Mike Judge.
THE IRENA SENDLER STORY (CBS, New!) - Anna Paquin ("True Blood") is set to topline a new Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation about Irena Sendler, a Polish woman credited with saving the lives of thousands of Jewish children during World War II. Paquin will play the Nobel Peace Prize nominee, who died at age 98 earlier this year. Production on the telefilm is set to begin next month in Riga, Latvia, for an April premiere. John Kent Harrison is directing from his own script, based on Anna Mieszkowska's book "Mother of the Children of the Holocaust: The Irena Sendler Story," with Brent Shields and Jeff Most executive producing.
JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS (NBC, New!) - Josh and Jonas Pate ("Surface") have scored a script commitment from the Peacock for a new drama based on the famed Greek myth following a bidding war with at least one other network. The project, which has a penalty attached should it not move forward to pilot, is expected to be shot entirely on green screen, a la the recently launched Sci Fi series "Sanctuary." The Pates then are penning the pilot and will executive produce for Media Rights Capital. NBC previously aired an "Argonauts" mini-series (from Hallmark Entertainment) back in May of 2000.
MADE OVER (ABC, New!) - "Miss/Guided" co-creator Caroline Williams has landed a put pilot order from the Alphabet for a new comedy about a shallow, image-obsessed cosmetics executive who has a crisis of conscience and quits her job. She subsequently joins a younger woman with completely different values to start a unique consulting company. The project, which Williams will write and executive produce, is set up at Warner Bros. Television.
MEDIUM (NBC) - The Peacock has asked for three more scripts of the drama, which is set to return at midseason on the network. Thus far NBC has only ordered 13 episodes for the show's fifth season. The additional scripts however suggest that number may increase in the coming months.
RITA ROCKS (Lifetime) - The Nicole Sullivan-led comedy, which bows with a weeklong stunt next week, has gotten an order for three additional scripts. Following the aforementioned stunt, "Rita" will air Tuesdays at 8:30/7:30c starting October 28.
UNTITLED DAVID E. KELLEY PROJECT (NBC, New!) - David E. Kelley's latest legal drama has received a series commitment from the Peacock, home to his 1986-1994 drama "L.A. Law." The newcomer, which Kelley wrote on spec, is set in a Chicago law firm and revolves around an aging partner and his daughter who works with him as well as a host of eccentric characters around them. The news marks Kelley's first new project since moving to Warner Bros. Television earlier this year. Kelley will then executive produce the pilot, which has a multimillion-dollar penalty if it doesn't go to series.
UNTITLED TRIBECA PROJECTS (CBS, New!) - Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal have inked a three-for-one pilot deal with CBS. The pact calls for the pair's Tribeca Productions to develop three projects for the network, one of which is ultimately guaranteed a pilot order. Already in the works: an untitled hour set in New York from Oscar-winner William Monahan ( "The Departed"). No other specifics about the project were released.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[09/17/26 - 02:00 PM]
NBC's "The Voice" Returns for a Landmark Season 30 with a Three-Night Premiere Event Starting Monday, Sept. 21 at 8 P.M. ET/PT
The new season marks the first-ever simulcast on Peacock for an NBC entertainment program.
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[09/17/26 - 01:30 PM]
It's Official: Jalen Brunson to Guest Star on NBC's "Law & Order: SVU"
Brunson will appear in the season's fifth episode in a role being kept under wraps.
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[09/17/26 - 12:00 PM]
Peacock's New True Crime Documentary "Kill. Bury. Print." Premieres on Sunday, Sept. 27
The new true-crime documentary, produced by Rachel Maddow, spotlights the complex story behind local corruption and press intimidation in Southeast Oklahoma.
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[09/17/26 - 12:00 PM]
CBS and Paramount+ Present "The JLo Show"
The concert film capturing Jennifer Lopez's celebrated residency will premiere Thanksgiving evening, Thursday, November 26 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and stream on Paramount+, with an extended version available exclusively on Paramount+.
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[09/17/26 - 11:20 AM]
Lifetime Announces Four New Original Movies This Fall Featuring All-Star Casts
Luke Macfarlane and Siobhan Williams; Matthew Morrison and Molly Saunders; Maddy Hillis, Karis Cameron and Jean Luc Bilodeau; and Judy Reyes and Tahmoh Penikett are among the featured talent.
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[09/17/26 - 10:20 AM]
Edie Falco to Star in FOX's New Series "Katie Greaves" (wt)
Falco stars as a whip-smart, fiercely committed attorney who stepped away from the New Hampshire Public Defender's office following a devastating personal tragedy.
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[09/17/26 - 10:09 AM]
Video: "CIA" Season 2 Premiere Trailer - CBS
The new season premieres Monday, October 5 on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
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[09/17/26 - 10:01 AM]
Netflix's "Unaccustomed Earth" First Look & Date Announcement
Inspired by the internationally beloved Jhumpa Lahiri's short story collection of the same name, "Unaccustomed Earth" premieres December 17, only on Netflix.
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[09/17/26 - 09:18 AM]
Hit Shudder Competition Series "The Boulet Brothers' Dragula" Returns for Seventh Season on Tuesday, October 27
The four-time Emmy-nominated series is Shudder's highest-performing unscripted original franchise and continues to be one of the platform's most popular series.
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[09/17/26 - 09:01 AM]
Disney and "Like Nastya," Globally Renowned Kids' Creator, Strike Content and Development Deal
The deal includes development of an original animated preschool series for Disney Jr. and Disney+, along with new live-action content for kids, tweens, teens and families.
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[09/17/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Perfect Liars" - Official Teaser - Prime Video
The adaptation of Álex Mírez's novel premieres November 20 on Prime Video.
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[09/17/26 - 09:00 AM]
Additional Performers Revealed for "2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs)" Airing Live Sept. 27 on CBS
GENER8ION, Gunna, LISA, RAYE, Shaboozey, SIENNA SPIRO and Yung Lean will join show opener Madonna for performances during this year's event.
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[09/17/26 - 09:00 AM]
Production Revs Up on AMC's New NASCAR Drama, "Thunder Road"
Centered on family dynamics, fierce rivalries and the untold stories behind one of America's most iconic sports, "Thunder Road" follows the multigenerational saga of the fictional Whitlock family, whose legacy in stock car racing is as deep as the family's ties to the Southern hill country roots that shaped them.
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[09/17/26 - 08:16 AM]
Video: Date Announcement, Trailer & Key Art Debut - "The Kardashians" Season Eight
Season eight premieres October 8 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally.
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[09/17/26 - 08:05 AM]
ESPN Updates NHL Exclusive Game Start Times on October 6
The New York Islanders vs. New York Rangers matchup will now begin at 7:30 p.m. ET and the Florida Panthers vs. Los Angeles Kings will now begin at 10 p.m.
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