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)





[10/15/26 - 01:00 PM]
Fandango Expands Into Original Programming with "Bad Girls Club: Unfinished Business"
The special event reunites six unforgettable personalities from Season 7 of the iconic "Bad Girls Club" franchise, Fandango's most-watched season: Angie Castillo, Judi Jackson, Priscilla Mennella, Shelly Hickman, Stasi Townsend, and Tiara Hodge.

[10/15/26 - 12:01 PM]
National Geographic's "Wolves Up Close with Bertie Gregory" Premieres Nov. 6
Reconnecting with a pack of wolves he has followed for seven years, Bertie sets out to capture one of the Arctic's most dangerous and rarely filmed hunts: wolves taking on a bull moose, prey roughly ten times their size.

[10/15/26 - 12:00 PM]
Peacock's "Nelly and Ashanti: We Belong Together" Season Two Premieres on Thursday, Nov. 19
In the eight new episodes, the couple navigates love, family, and demanding careers while taking control of their legacy.

[10/15/26 - 11:01 AM]
Comedy Central Announces "The Daily Show Presents: Jordan Klepper Fingers the Pulse: Red Flags"
The special premieres immediately following "The Daily Show" on Monday, October 26 at 11:30pm ET/PT and will be available on Paramount+, "The Daily Show's" YouTube Channel, and VOD on Tuesday, October 27.

[10/15/26 - 11:00 AM]
The CW Network Sets Broadcast Schedule for 2026-27 Men's and Women's College Basketball
The network will also introduce "CW Courtside Wednesday" this winter, highlighting midweek marquee games across all three conferences in primetime.

[10/15/26 - 10:29 AM]
ESPN Delivered Its Most-Watched WNBA Playoffs Ever!
Across eight games, ESPN networks averaged 1.4 million viewers, up 23% compared to coverage through the semifinals last year.

[10/15/26 - 10:00 AM]
Skydance TV Networks to Re-Air "The Concert for New York City," Marking Its 25th Anniversary
Staged in the aftermath of 9/11, the landmark concert brought together the music community, first responders, dignitaries and New Yorkers in an extraordinary demonstration of unity, generosity and resolve.

[10/15/26 - 09:12 AM]
Paramount+ Scottish Highland Drama "Laird" Announces Additional Casting
Jennifer Ehle,Peter Mullan, Phia Saban, Ruaridh Mollica, Holliday Grainger, Douglas Hodge, and Corey Mylchreest are the latest additions.

[10/15/26 - 09:08 AM]
"Pardon the Interruption" Marks 25 Years of Must-See Sports Debate with Special Anniversary Celebration on ESPN
On Thursday, October 22, ESPN celebrates the silver anniversary of "PTI" with a special double-episode event.

[10/15/26 - 08:02 AM]
Al Pacino to Be Honored with the 2026 SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award
Pacino will be presented with the union's top tribute at The 33rd Annual Actor Awards Presented by SAG-AFTRA, which will stream live on Netflix Sunday, February 28, 2027, at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT from the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall.

[10/15/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: Paramount+ Reveals December 18 Premiere Date & Teaser for "Frisco King," Starring Samuel L. Jackson
Written by Taylor Sheridan, "Frisco King" follows seasoned New Orleans gangster Lee Washington as he lands in Frisco, Texas, and discovers a hustler's playground hidden beneath the polished surface of American suburbia.

[10/15/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "The Fall of El Mayo" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, longtime partner of "El Chapo", and a ghost to authorities for over three decades. The documentary that tells the story of his downfall.

[10/15/26 - 08:00 AM]
CBS Wins Its Premiere Week with Eight of the Top 10 Broadcast Shows and Delivers +9% Year-Over-Year Growth
Weekly viewership averaged 4.43 million viewers, growing +9% from its 2025 premiere week (4.08m viewers).

[10/15/26 - 07:01 AM]
TNT Sports & DAZN Present World Championship Boxing Doubleheader on "The Fight", Saturday, Oct. 17
Headlining the evening, WBC Super Welterweight Champion Sebastián "The Towering Inferno" Fundora (24-1-1, 16 KOs) will put his title on the line against unbeaten challenger Ermal Hadribeaj (23-0-1, 8 KOs) in a scheduled 12-round showdown.

[10/15/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "In a Holidaze" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Maddie Ziegler stars in this festive romantic comedy about second chances, tangled feelings, and a chosen family you'll want to spend the holidays with.