 |
 |
[03/26/10 - 12:08 AM]
Development Update: Friday, March 26
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!
ARE WE THERE YET? (TBS) - Telma Hopkins ("Family Matters"), Keesha Sharp ("Why Did I Get Married, Too?") and Christian Finnegan ("Best Week Ever") have all been cast in the upcoming comedy, about a woman, Suzanne (Essence Atkins), who - along with her two children - move in with her new husband Nick (Terry Crews). Hopkins will play Nick's mother, who "isn't happy about his marriage nor her new role as grandmother"; with Sharp as Suzanne's best friend, who "has a taste for men and the finer things in life"; and Finnegan as Nick's best friend and owner of a sports memorabilia store. They join executive producer Ice Cube, who will recur as Suzanne's SWAT officer brother. Ali LeRoi, Joe Roth and Matt Alvarez are also behind the half-hour, which launches in June.
EDGAR FLOATS (ABC) - Alex Solowitz ("Dark Ride") has landed a role on the drama pilot, about the title character (Tom Cavanagh), a police psychologist who becomes a bounty hunter. He'll play Mason ("like a big farm boy with a military hair cut and a big smile"), one of Edgar's fellow bounty hunters, who's regularly paired with another named Jesus (Raoul Trujillo). In addition, Miguel Ferrer ("Bionic Woman") is set to guest star as Bob Martin, an ex-con - whose son is on the lam from Edgar and company - that Edgar offers psychological help. Alicia Witt, Derek Webster and Robert Patrick also star in the Warner Bros. Television-based hour, which comes from director Jace Alexander and writer Rand Ravich.
FRANKLIN & BASH (TBS) - Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, Reed Diamond and Dana Davis are the latest additions to the drama pilot, about "two street lawyers and lifelong friends (Breckin Meyer, Mark-Paul Gosselaar) who, after taking down a white-shoe law firm in a high-profile case, are recruited by the firm's patriarch (Malcolm McDowell)." Diamond will play the nephew of McDowell's character, with Beauvais-Nilon as his girlfriend. Davis will play an unspecified employee at the firm. Bill Chais and Kevin Falls are behind the hour, which is set up at Sony Pictures Television.
GLORY DAZE (TBS) - Tim Jo and Josh Brener have landed roles on the pilot, a dramedy about the lives of four incoming freshman in the 1980s - Joel (Kelly Blatz), Jason (Drew Seeley), Eli (Matt Bush) and Brian (Hartley Sawyer) - who pledge a fraternity at a Wisconsin college. The former will play Peter Chang, Eli�s roommate, who joins an Asian fraternity. Brener then is believed to be playing Zach Paulson, Joel's roommate, "an early aficionado of the MAC computer, Zach has the wild eyes of a guy who plays a lot of Dungeons and Dragons, and the fashion sense to match." Callard Harris, Julianna Guill and Tim Meadows also star in the ensemble, which comes from co-creators Michael LeSieur and Walt Becker.
HITCHED (CBS) - Thomas Middleditch ("Splinterheads") has scored a role in the comedy pilot, about a newlyweds (Kristin Kreuk, Jack Carpenter) dealing with their family and friends. He's on board as Zarnow, their hopelessly single best friend who's always seen wearing a vintage T-shirt, a vest and a fedora. Eugene Levy and Kurtwood Smith also star in the Warner Bros. Television-based project, which Rob Greenberg is directing from a script by co-creators Josh Schwartz and Matt Miller.
IN SECURITY (TBS) - Brandon Routh, Hal Linden, Amir Arison, Tina Majorino and Kevin Michael Richardson have all landed roles on the drama pilot, about "sisters (Constance Zimmer and Kat Foster) who take over their father's private-security business protecting the super-elite while dealing with personal and family issues." Linden will play their father with Routh as "a former Navy SEAL-turned-bodyguard at the firm who sleeps with one of the sisters." Details on Richardson, Majorino and Arison's characters, all employees of the company, weren't given. Pete Segal is directing the hour from a script he co-wrote with Ric Swartzlander.
THE LINE (CBS) - Terry Kinney ("The Unusuals") is the latest addition to the drama pilot, about Jack Donovan (Dylan Walsh), an ATF agent who hunts down the most dangerous criminals. He'll play Alex Gunderson, Donovan's nemesis, a "mystic, poet, philosopher, and fucking sociopath." Lorraine Toussaint, Michael Rapaport and Sean Patrick Thomas also star in the Michael Dinner-created project, a co-production of CBS Television Studios and Sony Pictures Television.
MIDLAND (FOX) - Mark Deklin ("The Ex List") and Hannah Leigh ("The Suite Life of Zack and Cody") have landed the final principal roles on the drama pilot, about a con artist (Jimmy Wolk) juggling two lives in two Texas cities with two different women (Adrianne Palicki, Eloise Mumford). He'll play Trammell ("Brooks Brothers suit, might as well have Wharton MBA stamped on his forehead"), the brother of Palicki's character, Cat. Leigh then is set as Grace ("cute but plain on purpose"), Cat's daughter from her first marriage. Bryce Johnson, David Keith and Jon Voight also star in the 20th Century Fox Television-based hour, to be helmed by Marc Webb from a script by Kyle Killen.
MR. SUNSHINE (ABC) - Portia Doubleday ("Youth in Revolt") and James Lesure ("Las Vegas") are both on board the comedy pilot, about Ben (Matthew Perry), a self-involved manager of a second-rate sports arena who begins to reevaluate his life on his 40th birthday. She'll play Ben's assistant Heather ("blonde, very pretty, very sweet") while he's set as Alonzo ("athletic, handsome, unbelievably happy"), a former basketball star whose sunny disposition annoys Ben. Allison Janney, Andrea Anders and Nate Torrence also star in the Sony Pictures Television-based half-hour, which Perry co-wrote with Alex Barnow and Mark Firek. Thomas Schlamme is directing.
NOMADS (The CW) - Luke Ford ("McLeod's Daughters") has joined the cast of the drama pilot, about a group of nearly broke young backpackers traveling the world who agree to earn money by working secret missions for the CIA. He's on board as one of them, Zack Morgan, "a shaggy blonde 20's Aussie surfer dude with the good nature (and sex drive) of a Labrador Retriever." Michaela McManus, Scott Porter and Warren Kole also star in the presentation, which comes from CBS Television Studios, Scott Free Productions and Warner Bros. Television. Ken Sanzel is directing off his own script.
PLEADING GUILTY (FOX) - Melinda McGraw ("Hank") has scored a role on the drama pilot, about Mack Malloy (Jason Isaacs), an ex-cop and recovering alcoholic now serving as a partner in a top-drawer corporate law firm. She'll play Elise, Mack's ex-wife with whom he shares a teenager daughter, Carrie (yet to be cast). John Larroquette, Madchen Amick and Omid Abtahi co-star in the 20th Century Fox Television-based hour, which Jon Avnet is helming off a script by Jason Tracey.
SOUTHERN DISCOMFORT (ABC) - Steve Talley ("American Pie Presents Beta House") has joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about "a tough, hard-core conservative Texan (Don Johnson) whose life is turned upside down when his grown kids move back in." He'll play Ty Dobson, the eldest son, "a slacker who kissed off a baseball scholarship to pursue writing." Mary Steenburgen also stars in the project, which is set up at ABC Studios and Sony Pictures Television. Chad Kultgen penned the script.
TRUE BLUE (ABC) - Rachael Carpani ("McLeod's Daughters") is the latest addition to the drama pilot, about a group of San Francisco cops who reunite to solve the murder of one of their own. She'll play Tess Flynn, the chirpy new partner of Malcolm-Jamal Warner's character whom he dubs "Veronica Mars." Also set to appear are Scott Elrod ("Men in Trees") as Kevin Ulster, the murdered cop in question; Malaya Rivera Drew ("The L Word") as Mia Sherman, Kevin's sometimes lover; and Titus Welliver ("The Good Wife") as John Leeson, her slick ex-husband and the prime suspect in Kevin's murder. Ana Ortiz, Eric Lange, Marc Blucas, Poppy Montgomery and Scott Foley are also among the ensemble. Chris Brancato and Jon Harmon Feldman co-wrote the ABC Studios-based hour, which Peter Horton is directing.
THE WALKING DEAD (AMC) - Jon Bernthal ("Eastwick") is the first to be cast in the drama pilot, which is based on the Robert Kirkman comic of the same name about a cop and his family trying to survive after a zombie apocalypse. He'll play Shane Walsh, the man's partner/best friend, an outgoing bachelor. Frank Darabont is behind the hour, which is set up at Circle of Confusion and Valhalla Motion Pictures.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
|
|
|
 [march 2010]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[03/18/26 - 01:13 PM]
"Saturday Night Live" Launches New Short-Form Digital Original Series, "The Rundown"
Guests will stop by Studio 8H to select a favorite segment from the show's history to add to the iconic Rundown board, building an all-star episode along the way.
|
[03/18/26 - 01:03 PM]
All New Series "Conspiracies & Coverups" Premieres April 1 at 10PM ET/PT on Discovery Channel
Former CIA covert intelligence officer Andrew Bustamante exposes the truth behind some of the most sensational, "ripped from the headlines" conspiracy theories in the all-new series.
|
[03/18/26 - 12:32 PM]
The Ultimate Test of Survival: "Lord of the Flies" Debuts May 4 on Netflix
Innocence descends into savagery when a group of English schoolboys becomes desert island castaways in the first television adaptation of William Golding's landmark dystopian classic.
|
[03/18/26 - 12:31 PM]
Darren Star & David Schulner Uncork New Napa Valley Rom-Com Series for Netflix
"Uncorked" delves into the life of a talented but self-destructive winemaker who returns to Napa for her second chance at love, legacy and that elusive 100 point wine.
|
[03/18/26 - 11:59 AM]
ID's Titans of True Crime Return with New Seasons of "Homicide Hunter: American Detective with Joe Kenda" and "On the Case with Paula Zahn"
The series will premiere back-to-back beginning Wednesday, April 15 at 9:00/8:00c.
|
[03/18/26 - 11:48 AM]
FOX Advertising Announces a Season-Long Major Brand Partnership with Toyota and the Reimagined FOX Primetime Series "Baywatch"
The series will showcase the Toyota Tacoma as the official Baywatch lifeguard vehicle which will be fully customized to authentically reflect the LA County lifeguard vehicles.
|
[03/18/26 - 11:31 AM]
Jinkies! Netflix Casts Mckenna Grace, Tanner Hagen, Abby Ryder Fortson, Maxwell Jenkins in the Live-Action "Scooby-Doo" Series
The series will uncover how this mystery-solving crew, and their beloved dog, first teamed up to crack the haunting case that started it all.
|
[03/18/26 - 10:31 AM]
TBS Orders New Season Pick-Up of "Impractical Jokers," Cable's #1 Original Series of the Year, Amid Record-Breaking Ratings
The final two episodes of season 12 air Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20 following NCAA coverage on TBS.
|
[03/18/26 - 10:31 AM]
"Million Dollar Secret" Season 2 - Only on Netflix April 15
This season, the stakes are higher than ever as players face trickier agendas, grueling challenges and navigate the ever-changing game of deception.
|
[03/18/26 - 10:01 AM]
Peacock Reveals July 16 Premiere Date & Releases First Look Images for "The Five Star Weekend"
The series stars Jennifer Garner, D'Arcy Carden, Gemma Chan, Regina Hall, Chloë Sevigny, Harlow Jane and Timothy Olyphant.
|
[03/18/26 - 10:01 AM]
"Nemesis" - Official First Look, Teaser Art & Date Announcement
The series, due on May 14, is the story of two men on either side of the law, the tale of what happens when an unstoppable force (an expert criminal) meets an immovable object (a brilliant police detective).
|
[03/18/26 - 10:00 AM]
Rewatch "Ready or Not" on Hulu Before the Highly Anticipated Sequel "Ready or Not 2: Here I Come" Hits Theaters This Friday
Audiences can revisit the film that started it all and get a special look for what's to come.
|
[03/18/26 - 09:31 AM]
Video: "Sheng Wang: Purple" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In this special, Sheng delves into what it means to be a grown-up and explores ordinary life moments: sharing prized berries with your friends' kids, cooking with shallots, braving the ghosts in your house, finding joy in nature and much more.
|
[03/18/26 - 09:28 AM]
Vice Studios Secures Worldwide Adaptation Rights for Iconic Video Game IP "Payday" Partnering with Starbreeze Entertainment to Expand the Video Game Franchise Into Film and Television
Over 15 years of continuous development have made the "Payday" name synonymous with heisting, serving a massive community of more than 50 million players.
|
[03/18/26 - 09:07 AM]
"Be My Guest with Ina Garten" Welcomes Allison Janney, Jon Batiste, Hoda Kotb and Michael Barbaro in New Season
The new episodes premiere Saturday, April 11th at 12pm ET/PT on Food Network and stream the next day on HBO Max and discovery+.
|
|
|
|
