or


[07/29/09 - 06:18 PM]
Development Update: July 28-29
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC)

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!


ATLAS SHRUGGED (Epix, New!) - The fledgling pay channel is reportedly developing a mini-series based on Ayn Rand's famed novel of the same name. Charlize Theron is attached to the star in the project, which revolves around the mysterious disappearance of the world's greatest innovators and industrialists. No other specifics were given.


THE BEAUTIFUL LIFE (The CW) - Elle Macpherson and Corbin Bleu have both been promoted to regulars on the netlet's upcoming drama. Bleu will continue on as Issac, one of the models living together in a co-ed residence in New York. Macpherson likewise is on board as Claudia Foster, a former supermodel who owns the top modeling agency in New York. Production on the series begins this week.


THE BORDER (ION) - Tonya Lee Williams ("The Young and the Restless") has joined the cast of the Canadian import, about "elite Canadian immigration and customs officers working with U.S. authorities to defend the Canadian-U.S. border against outside threats." She'll play a senior U.S. Department of Homeland Security agent in the project, which also stars Catherine Disher, Grace Park, Graham Abbey, James McGowan, Jim Codrington, Jonas Chernick, Mark Wilson, Nazneen Contractor and Sofia Milos. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Fireworks International and White Pines Pictures are co-producing.


THE FORGOTTEN (ABC) - Heather Stephens has joined the cast of the Jerry Bruckheimer-produced drama, about a group of amateur detectives led by a former cop (Christian Slater). She's set as one of the sleuths, Lindsay, who's "left to care for her baby after her husband is thrown in jail for an unknown crime." Reiko Aylesworth played said role, then named Linda, in the original pilot. No reason was given for Aylesworth's recasting.


HANK (ABC) - Nathan Gamble is a new addition to the upcoming comedy, which stars Kelsey Grammer as "a titan of industry who suddenly finds himself out of work, almost out of money and around a wife and kids for whom he's never made much time." He's on board as Henry, the son of Grammer's character - a role originated by Ryan Wynott in the original pilot. No reason was listed for the recasting.


HEROES (NBC) - Robert Knepper has been upped to series regular for the show's fourth season. Originally tapped for a six-episode arc, the "Prison Break" alum is now set to appear in every episode of the upcoming volume. He plays "the charismatic but evil Earth-moving ringleader of a traveling carnival who recruits people with special powers for a mysterious purpose."


SWORDS: LIFE ON THE LINE (NBC) - The Thom Beers-produced series has found a home at Discovery. Originally set up at NBC, the hourlong series follows a group of New England fisherman as they "brave the frigid, unpredictable waters of the North Atlantic." The newcomer will now roll out on Tuesday, August 11 at 9:00/8:00c, a slot formerly occupied by fellow Beers series "Deadliest Catch." Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun also serve as executive producers.


TERRIERS (FX) - Donal Logue has been tapped for the lead role on the drama pilot, about Hank, "an ex-cop who partners with his best friend to launch a P.I. business where the duo, both with maturity issues, solve crimes while trying to avoid danger and responsibility." Executive producer Shawn Ryan originally broke the news via his Twitter account. Ted Griffin penned the hour for Fox 21 and is also executive producing.


Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [july 2009]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
   


· ATLAS SHRUGGED (EPIX)
· BEAUTIFUL LIFE, THE (CW)
· BORDER, THE (OVATION)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· FORGOTTEN, THE (ABC)
· HANK (ABC)
· HEROES (NBC)
· PRISON BREAK (FOX)
· SWORDS: LIFE ON THE LINE (DISCOVERY)
· TERRIERS (FX)





[02/12/26 - 02:34 PM]
ABC's Thursday Night Dramas Dominate as "9-1-1," "9-1-1: Nashville" and "Grey's Anatomy" Jump to Biggest Multiplatform Audience Since Their Season Premieres
The January 29 episodes of all three series rose to their biggest Total Viewer audience since their season premieres after seven days of viewing on ABC, Hulu, Hulu on Disney+ and digital platforms.

[02/12/26 - 01:30 PM]
Video: Official Trailer for the Highly Anticipated Drama "CIA" Starring Tom Ellis and Nick Gehlfuss, Now Available
When by-the-book FBI Special Agent Bill Goodman (Nick Gehlfuss) is loaned out to a clandestine CIA/FBI task force, he finds himself teamed up with secretive and roguish CIA Agent Colin Glass (Tom Ellis).

[02/12/26 - 01:00 PM]
"Saturday Night Live's" 51st Season Returns Feb. 28 with Three Back-to-Back Shows
Connor Storrie will host on February 28, followed by Ryan Gosling on March 7.

[02/12/26 - 12:49 PM]
Video: Trailer & Key Art Debut - Hulu Original "Shoresy" Season 5
The hockey comedy returns on February 21 with all six new episodes premiering exclusively on Hulu, and on Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S.

[02/12/26 - 12:12 PM]
Video: "America's Culinary Cup" Official Trailer Premieres March 4, 2026
Welcome to "America's Culinary Cup," where the best chefs in the country compete under the eyes of Padma Lakshmi, Michael Cimarusti, and Wylie Dufresne.

[02/12/26 - 12:02 PM]
Critically Acclaimed Series "The Way Home" Returns for Final Season on April 19
Bianca Melchior joins the cast along with Hallmark fan favorites Gabriel Hogan and Dan Jeannotte.

[02/12/26 - 11:01 AM]
"Duck Dynasty: The Revival" Returns for Season 2 on March 7 at 10pm ET/PT on A&E
Across the 10-episode season, Willie and Korie return with their signature wit and down-home charm as they navigate the ever-evolving future of Duck Commander, support their children through marriage, parenthood, and new business ventures as they work to preserve the family legacy.

[02/12/26 - 10:01 AM]
Date Announcement: "Dinosaur" Season 2
The charming Scottish series returns for season two on February 25 on Hulu.

[02/12/26 - 09:31 AM]
Video: "Taylor Tomlinson: Prodigal Daughter" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Taylor Tomlinson takes her fans to church with hilarious confessions about dating in her 30s, her dream assistant and why she refuses to use AI.

[02/12/26 - 09:31 AM]
New Preschool Series "Beddybyes" and "Magicampers" Set to Premiere on Disney+ and Disney Jr. in March 2026
They'll premiere on Monday, March 2 and Monday, March 23, respectively.

[02/12/26 - 09:02 AM]
Paramount+ Set to Premiere Men's College Basketball Documentary Series "Made for March" on Saturday, April 4
The series will feature unprecedented off-court access, exclusive game footage and interviews, and coverage of key regular season, conference and postseason matchups in the Big 12 and Big Ten.

[02/12/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "The Plastic Detox" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When six couples embark on a plastic detox within their homes, it changes their families forever.

[02/12/26 - 09:01 AM]
"Tribunal Justice" Season Three Premieres on Prime Video on March 2, 2026
Created and executive produced by judicial icon Judge Judy Sheindlin, "Tribunal Justice" will be available to stream exclusively on Prime Video in the U.S., UK, and Germany with new episodes available every weekday.

[02/12/26 - 09:00 AM]
Peacock Releases Premiere Date and First Look Images for Upcoming Original Drama Series "M.I.A."
The crime drama series from Bill Dubuque and Karen Campbell will premiere on May 7, 2026.

[02/12/26 - 08:53 AM]
FOX Entertainment Names Sophie Leonard Executive Vice President, Unscripted at FOX Television Network
Leonard will lead the creative strategy, development, and production of FOX's unscripted portfolio, working closely with internal teams and creative partners to build bold, premium formats and large-scale franchises designed to resonate with broad audiences and travel globally.