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[02/27/09 - 06:56 PM]
Development Update: Friday, February 27
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!
90210 (The CW) - Rebecca Rand Kirshner Sinclair has inked a new two-year, seven-figure overall deal with CBS Paramount Network Television. The pact calls for the executive producer to assume the showrunning duties from current captains Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah next season. The writer/producer, who joined the series with episode nine, had been set to focus on development next season with only a consulting role on "90210." The network and studio nevertheless are said to be happy with Sinclair's input and subsequently offered her the show's top role. It's not clear if Sachs and Judah will remain with the series for season two.
CRASH COURSE (ABC, New!) - Orlando Jones and Dan Cortese are set to host a new reality series for the network in which contestants navigate an outrageous obstacle course - featuring everything from weather hazards to falling rocks - in a stunt car. Production on the pilot is set to begin this weekend with Arthur Smith and Kent Weed ("I Survived a Japanese Game Show") executive producing. It's understood the network is eyeing the project as a companion piece to its summer hit "Wipeout."
EMPIRE STATE (ABC) - David Morse ("John Adams") has joined the cast of the drama pilot, about a blue-collar man falling in love with a wealthy woman. He'll play the boy's strong-willed, caring father. Michael Nouri also stars in the hour, which comes from creator Michael Seitzman, executive producer Mark Gordon and director Jeremy Podeswa.
INSIDE THE BOX (ABC) - "Viva Laughlin" alum Lloyd Owen is the latest addition to the drama pilot, about a Washington-based news network. He'll play a suave Englishman tapped to replace the retiring bureau chief. Betsy Beers, Richard E. Robbins and Shonda Rhimes are the executive producers of the hour, which comes from ABC Studios and director Mark Tinker.
MAGGIE HILL (FOX) - Denis O'Hare ("Milk") has joined the cast of the drama pilot, about a brilliant surgeon (Christina Cole) who endures adult-onset schizophrenia and thrives. He'll play a top schizophrenia doctor who treats Cole's character. Stephen Hopkins is helming the 20th Century Fox Television-based hour from a script by Ian Biederman.
MELROSE PLACE (The CW) - Katie Cassidy, who stars in CBS's upcoming drama "Harper's Island," has joined the cast of the netlet's "Melrose" update. She'll play Ella Flynn, "an up-and-coming publicist with a big career ahead of her." Michael Rady also stars in the hour, which comes from CBS Paramount Network Television, director Davis Guggenheim and co-creators Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin.
THE PHILANTHROPIST (NBC) - Former Peacock scripted chief Teri Weinberg has inked a two-year, first-look deal with her former employer. The pact gives the network first crack at her Yellow Brick Road banner's output. In addition, she'll also join the upcoming drama "The Philanthropist" as an executive producer. There she'll serve alongside fellow executive producers Charlie Corwin, Peter Horton and creator Tom Fontana.
SEE CATE RUN (ABC) - Ben Feldman ("Living With Fran") has joined the cast of the drama pilot, about a young prosecuting attorney (Amy Smart) who one day is going to be a serious contender for president of the U.S. He'll play her boyfriend, an ADA who works with her. John Scott Shepherd created the hour, which comes from ABC Studios and director Dean Parisot.
VAMPIRE DIARIES (The CW) - Steven R. McQueen ("Everwood") has joined the cast of the drama pilot, about Elena, "a tragic young heroine who is the object of passion for two vampire brothers -- one good, one evil -- who are at war for her soul and for the souls of her friends, family and other residents of the small town in which she resides." He'll play Jeremy, Elena's outcast cute younger brother. Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson are behind the project, which comes from Warner Bros. Television and Alloy Entertainment.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[02/20/26 - 12:01 PM]
"Celebrity Jeopardy! All-Stars" Premieres March 13 on ABC, Streaming Next Day on Hulu
All three prior "Celebrity Jeopardy!" champions - Ike Barinholtz, Lisa Ann Walter, and W. Kamau Bell - will attempt to defend their titles against 18 of their most competitive fellow stars.
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[02/20/26 - 11:08 AM]
"The 'Burbs" Continues Hot Start on Peacock
The series has generated nearly 1 billion viewing minutes on platform since its February 8 launch.
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[02/20/26 - 10:37 AM]
Hallmark Renews "Mistletoe Murders" for Season 3
Sarah Drew, who also serves as executive producer, stars as Emily Lane, a small-town shop owner with a secret past.
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[02/20/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Strip Law" - Official Trailer - Netflix
An uptight lawyer and a Vegas magician take on the city's most outrageous cases in this new adult animated comedy now streaming on Netflix.
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[02/20/26 - 07:31 AM]
"Famous Last Words" Captures Interviews with Icons, Including the Late Eric Dane
Conducted by Emmy Award winner Brad Falchuk, the series presents an interview with the beloved "Grey's Anatomy" and "Euphoria" star Eric Dane, which was filmed last November.
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[02/20/26 - 07:03 AM]
Video: A First Look at "Descendants: Wicked Wonderland" Revealed Ahead of Disney+ Debut This Summer
The teaser debuted ahead of the all-new "Descendants/ZOMBIES Worlds Collide: Concert Special," available today on Disney+.
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[02/20/26 - 06:46 AM]
Paige Desorbo and Scott Evans to Host The Actor's Red Carpet: The 32nd Annual Actor Awards Official Pre-Show Live on Netflix
During the pre-show, winners for Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture and Television Series will also be announced.
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[02/20/26 - 06:02 AM]
TV One Presents A Definitive Tribute to an Icon with "Luther Vandross: Never Too Much" Premiering This Sunday, February 22 at 6PM/5C
Hailed by critics and audiences as a moving and definitive tribute, the film honors the life, artistry, and enduring cultural impact of music legend Luther Vandross.
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[02/20/26 - 12:01 AM]
"A Friend, A Murderer" Launches on Netflix on March 5, 2026
This is the story of how a series of horrific crimes affected a rural community in Denmark and how a Danish town's close-knit community was transformed into distrust and fear.
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[02/19/26 - 11:50 AM]
ABC Wednesday Comedies Deliver Audience Milestones as Romance Blooms With Valentine's Day Episodes
"Shifting Gears" earned 6.90 million Total Viewers and 0.99 rating among Adults 18-49, after seven days of viewing on ABC, Hulu, Hulu on Disney+ and digital platforms.
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[02/19/26 - 11:01 AM]
Oscar Winners Adrien Brody, Kieran Culkin, Mikey Madison and Zoe Saldana Return to the Oscars Stage
All return to the Oscars stage after winning last year in their respective acting categories.
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[02/19/26 - 10:32 AM]
Baseball Returns! ESPN to Stream More MLB Spring Training Games Than Ever
The offerings include four national games on ESPN, six games on ESPN Unlimited, and more than 250 out-of-market games via MLB.TV on ESPN platforms.
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[02/19/26 - 10:00 AM]
Daring Dark Polish Comedy "The Stroke" Exclusive U.S. Debut Thursday, March 12, 2026 Only on European Streamer Viaplay U.S.
In a fearless performance, Jacek Poniedzialek plays a celebrated culinary critic and TV personality, brilliant and caustic, who built a career skewering bourgeois taste while privately unraveling.
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[02/19/26 - 09:36 AM]
Nickelodeon to Air "Bedtime Stories with Ryan," Starring Ryan Reynolds, Beginning Monday, March 2, on Nick Jr. Channel
In the series, Ryan Reynolds reads new and classic bedtime stories as the tales magically come to life around him - creating a warm, playful and imaginative wind-down experience for kids and parents to enjoy together.
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[02/19/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "STEEL BALL RUN JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" - Official Trailer - Netflix
The series premieres on Thursday, March 19, 2026, only on Netflix.
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