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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!
CHASE (NBC) - Jesse Metcalfe ("Desperate Housewives") has joined the cast of the drama pilot, about "a high-priority fugitive apprehension team in South Texas." He'll play Luke Watson, "a preppy Marshal from D.C. newly assigned to the team." Rose Rollins also stars in the Jennifer Johnson-penned hour, which comes from Jerry Bruckheimer Television and Warner Bros. Television.
FLANKLIN & BASH (TBS, New!) - Kevin Falls ("Journeyman") and Bill Chais ("Head Cases") are set to team for a potential new dramedy at the cable channel about Jared Franklin and Steven Bash, "two street lawyers and lifelong friends who, after taking down a white-shoe law firm in a high-profile case, are recruited by the firm's patriarch." Sony Pictures Television is behind the hour, which has a cast-contingent pilot order. The pair penned the script and will executive produce alongside Sony-based producer Jamie Tarses.
FLASH FORWARD (ABC) - Jessika Borsiczky, Lisa Zwerling and Tim Lea have assumed showrunning duties on the freshman drama. In addition, the Alphabet has once again rolled back its commitment to the series - this time to its original 22-episode order. The trio will take over for David Goyer who departed last week. Borsiczky, Goyer's wife, has been an executive producer since the pilot with Zwerling joining as a co-executive producer with the second episode. Lea, who wasn't involved with the initial 10 episodes broadcast to date, presumably joined as part of its back nine commitment. "FlashForward" returns Thursday, March 18 at 8:00/7:00c.
THE GATES (ABC) - Frank Grillo ("Prison Break"), Luke Mably ("The Prince and Me"), Janina Gavankar ("The L Word") and Chandra West ("90210") are the first to be cast in the upcoming drama, about "a big-city cop who becomes chief of police in a seemingly sleepy planned community only to discover there's much more to the residents than meets the eye." Grillo will play Nick Monohan, said chief, while Gavankar is set as Leigh Turner, a "sexy and cool" cop that works for him. Mably then is playing Dylan Radcliff, the mysterious owner of a bio-tech company, with West as the owner of a local tea shop. In addition, Terry McDonough ("Breaking Bad") has signed on to direct the pilot for the series, which had previously been contingent on producer Fox Television Studios securing foreign financing. The Alphabet subsequently upped its license fee however the studio will continue to have conversations with international broadcasters. Grant Scharbo and Richard Hatem co-wrote the pilot and are executive producing alongside Gina Matthews. Filming is set to begin in late March in Louisiana for a potential summer premiere.
IN SECURITY (TBS, New!) - Ric Swartzlander ("Gary Unmarried") and Pete Segal ("Get Smart") have landed a cast-contingent pilot order from the cable channel. The project revolves around "two sisters who head up a private-security team protecting the super elite while dealing with personal and family issues." Segal will also direct the hour should it move forward and executive produce alongside Swartzlander and Chris Albrecht.
MR. SUNSHINE (ABC) - Andrea Anders ("Better Off Ted") and Nate Torrence ("Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip") have each landed roles on the Matthew Perry-led comedy pilot, about Ben (Perry), "the manager of an aging San Diego stadium who realizes on his 40th birthday that he can no longer get by on just his charming, noncommittal ways." Anders, whose casting is in second position to "Ted," will play Alice, "a cute and tomboyish girl who is in a friends-with-benefits relationship" with Perry's character. Torrence then is set as Roman, the clumsy son of Ben's boss (Allison Janney). Thomas Schlamme is helming the Sony Pictures Television-based half-hour, which was written by Perry, Alex Barnow and Mark Firek.
UNCLE NIGEL (TBS) - Matt Jones ("Breaking Bad") is set to star opposite Gary Cole in the drama pilot, about "a veteran Philadelphia homicide detective (Cole) who takes on his inexperienced, incompetent nephew (Jones) as a partner." He'll play Ronnie Wells, said nephew, in the hour, which comes from creator Andy Breckman.
THE WHOLE TRUTH (ABC) - Eamonn Walker ("Justice") is the first to book a role on the drama pilot, which "chronicles the building of a case from the perspective of both the defense and prosecution." He's on board as Terrence "Edge" Edgecomb, a senior assistant district attorney. Alex Graves is directing the Tom Donaghy-penned hour, which is based at Jerry Bruckheimer Television and Warner Bros. Television.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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