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[04/02/10 - 12:08 AM]
Development Update: Friday, April 2
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!
HELLCATS (The CW) - Robbie Jones ("One Tree Hill") and Heather Hemmens ("The Candy Shop") are both on board the presentation, a drama set in the world of competitive college cheerleading. He's believed to be playing Luis Famosa, an "easy and laid-back, seriously unserious" member of the squad who befriends Marty (Aly Michalka), much to the chagrin of Dan (Matt Barr). Said role was originally written for someone of Cuban descent. Hemmens then is set as Alice Vandermark ("a willowy beauty with jaded New York cool"), a fellow Hellcat that suffers a hairline wrist fracture. Ashley Tisdale and Gail O'Grady co-star in the hour, which was penned by Kevin Murphy. CBS Television Studios, Tom Welling Productions and Warner Bros. Television are co-producing.
HITCHED (CBS) - Riki Lindhome has landed a role on the comedy pilot, about a twentysomething newlywed couple (Jack Carpenter, Kristin Kreuk) navigating their new life together. She's on board as Shari Ratner, the bride's best friend, "a ball buster" whose husband never speaks. Josh Schwartz and Matt Miller are behind the Warner Bros. Television-based half-hour, which also stars Eugene Levy, Kurtwood Smith and Thomas Middleditch. Rob Greenberg is directing.
HUGE (ABC Family) - Gina Torres ("Gossip Girl") is the latest addition to the series, which launches Monday, June 28 at 9:00/8:00c. She'll play Dr. Dorothy Rand in the hour, about "the lives of seven teens and the staff at a weight-loss camp, as they look beneath the surface to discover their true selves and the truth about each other." Andrew Caldwell, Ari Stidham, Ashley Holliday, Harvey Guillen, Hayley Hasselhoff, Nikki Blonsky and Zander Eckhouse also star in the ensemble.
LAW & ORDER (NBC) - S. Epatha Merkerson is departing the series after 17 seasons. Said decision comes as production is about to begin on the show's 20th season finale. Merkerson reportedly made the request in time to give her character an appropriate send-off. Earlier this week, the Peacock announced Olympic Gold Medal winning skier Lindsey Vonn would guest star on the aforementioned finale, to be written and directed by Rene Balcer. As for the future of the series, rumblings persist that a 21st season will be contingent on whether or not TNT, home to its off-network run, will extend its contract beyond season 20 which in turn will help offset the cost of production.
PRETTY LITTLE LIARS (ABC Family) - Chad Lowe ("24") has joined the cast of the upcoming drama, about "four estranged best friends who are reunited one year after their best friend and queen bee of the group, Alison, goes missing only to discover they are receiving messages from an anonymous "A" who knows all their secrets." He'll play Byron, one of the girls' (Lucy Hale) fathers, a "handsome professor that the college girls on campus all talk about when they get drunk and horny." Alexis Denisof originated the role in the pilot. No reason was given for the recasting. Ashley Benson, Laura Leighton, Nia Peeples, Shay Mitchell as Emily and Troian Bellisario also star in the project, which bows Tuesday, June 8 at 8:00/7:00c.
STRANGE BREW (FOX) - Greg Germann ("In Case of Emergency") and Damon Gupton ("Deadline") have both booked roles on the comedy pilot, about a family-owned brewery. The former will play Burt ("fit, comfortable in his Republican skin"), a president of a rival company who tries to convince patriarch Ted (Jere Burns) to sell him a piece of the business. Gupton then is set as Lester Lewis III, a third generation brewmaster who's a de facto member of the family. Aya Cash, Laurie Metcalf, Mo Mandel and Skylar Astin also star in the Warner Bros. Television-based half-hour, which Marc Buckland is directing from a script by David Kohan and Max Mutchnick.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[04/08/26 - 02:31 PM]
Sarah Silverman, Andrew Rannells, Keyla Monterroso Mejia Among Nine Joining Netflix's "Nobody Wants This" Season 3
Steven Weber, Avan Jogia, Poorna Jagannathan, Stephanie Koenig, Sadie Sandler and series creator Erin Foster round out the guest cast.
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[04/08/26 - 12:56 PM]
ESPN Delivers Stellar 2025-26 Women's College Basketball Campaign
The national title bout between No. 1 South Carolina and No. 1 UCLA scored 9.9 million viewers, the third most-viewed women's college basketball championship game on ESPN networks and up 15% from last year's title matchup.
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[04/08/26 - 12:19 PM]
Sue Bird to Join NBC Sports as WNBA Studio Analyst in May 2026
In addition to her studio appearances, Sue will host a series of feature stories throughout the season, with portions airing on television and extended versions available digitally, including on Peacock.
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[04/08/26 - 10:01 AM]
Prime Video Reveals "Fresh Look" at Family Drama Series Starring Scott Foley, "It's Not Like That"
The series' global launch on Prime Video is set for May 15.
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[04/08/26 - 09:49 AM]
Paramount Issues Statement on Jeff Shell
Said the company: "Consistent with Mr. Shell's commitment to prioritizing PSKY's success, he has elected to transition from his positions as President of PSKY and a member of PSKY's Board of Directors to focus on this lawsuit."
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[04/08/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Peacock Releases Trailer, Key Art, and New 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, only on Peacock.
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[04/08/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Trevor Noah: Joy in the Trenches" - Official Trailer - Netflix
From unexpected social media beef to a therapist's truth bomb, Trevor Noah turns chaos into comedy with a sharp, playful, and laugh-out-loud set about our flawed world, and his own flawed self.
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[04/08/26 - 09:00 AM]
"Saturday Night Live" Closes Out Its 51st Season with Three New Shows in May
Olivia Rodrigo, Matt Damon, and Will Ferrell will close out the season as hosts.
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[04/08/26 - 08:01 AM]
"Bridgerton" Adds New Members of the Ton in Season 5
Tega Alexander, Jacqueline Boatswain, and Gemma Knight Jones are among the latest additions.
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[04/08/26 - 07:08 AM]
Golden Globe Winner Uma Thurman to Reprise Her Role as "Charley" in Season Two of "Dexter: Resurrection" for Paramount+
Thurman will reprise her role as "Charley," the former Special Ops officer who served as Leon Prater's right-hand woman.
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[04/08/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Remarkably Bright Creatures" - Official Trailer - Netflix
While working nights at a small-town aquarium, a widow bonds with a clever octopus and an adrift young man in this moving drama based on the bestseller.
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[04/08/26 - 07:01 AM]
BYUtv's Viral Sketch Comedy "Studio C" Premieres Season 22 with Special Guest Star Rainn Wilson
Additionally, seasons 23 and 24 will be in production this spring and summer in front of studio audiences and on location with special guest stars and returning members of the "Studio C" family.
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[04/08/26 - 06:31 AM]
Video: "Lainey Wilson: Keepin' Country Cool" - Official Trailer - Netflix
The film captures a pivotal moment in her career, exploring the country icon's personal journey and chronicling her struggles and triumphs as she captivates fans on stage across the country.
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[04/08/26 - 06:30 AM]
Official Poster Revealed for "My Two Cents," the New Animated Series Created, Written and Directed by Zerocalcare
Zero and Cinghiale run a small business, but financial struggles, misunderstandings, and increasingly complicated personal lives begin to take their toll.
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[04/08/26 - 06:23 AM]
Sophie Cunningham Joins USA Sports' WNBA Coverage as an Athlete Contributor
Currently a free agent, Cunningham played last season with the Indiana Fever after spending her first six WNBA seasons with the Phoenix Mercury.
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