[04/27/10 - 10:05 AM] Development Update: Tuesday, April 27 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!
CATCH ME (ABC, New!) - The Alphabet has begun casting on a new "heart stopping" reality series from Jerry Bruckheimer Television ("The Amazing Race"). "This reality competition is currently searching for outgoing, dynamic teams of two who live in the Chicago Area," reads the casting notice. "If you and your teammate (brothers, sisters, cousins, spouses, best friends, etc) have an adventurous streak and a good poker face, this is your game. Sign up now." No other details were listed.
HUNG (HBO) - Merrin Dungey ("Alias") is set to recur on the show's sophomore season, due Sunday, June 27 at 10:00/9:00c. She'll play Liz, one of Ray's (Thomas Jane) clients, a super successful corporate woman. No other details were given.
IN TREATMENT (HBO) - Relative newcomer Dane DeHaan has joined the cast of the show's upcoming third season. He'll play one of Paul's (Gabriel Byrne) three new patients this season, which is also expected to include Irrfan Khan and Debra Winger. Not returning however is Dianne Wiest, who played Paul's therapist for the past two seasons. Production is set to begin shortly in New York with Anya Epstein and Dan Futterman serving as showrunners.
MEN OF THE DUSK (Starz, New!) - Craig Zahler ("Brigands of Rattleborge") is developing a new period drama at the pay channel about "a former Confederate soldier who oversees a group of workers who transport items and people from town to town (such as prostitutes or prisoners)." No other specifics were given about the project, which will be set in post-Civil War America.
OUTLAW COUNTRY (FX, New!) - Husband-and-wife duo Josh Goldin ("Wonderful World") and Los Angeles Times writer Rachel Abramowitz have booked a pilot order from the cable channel for a new drama set against the backdrop of Southern organized crime. The project is set up at FX Productions and Linson Entertainment ("Sons of Anarchy") with the latter's Art Linson and John Linson serving as executive producers. Shooter Jennings, son of country music legend Waylon Jennings, is also on board as an executive consultant and music supervisor. Production is set to begin this fall off Goldin and Abramowitz's script.
PANIC ATTACK (FOX, New!) - "Hell's Kitchen" producer A. Smith & Co. has landed a new reality project at the network in which "contestants face their greatest fears - heights, snakes, tight spaces - with the help of a pair of therapists." FOX has ordered a pilot for the effort, to be hosted by Nik and Eva Speakman ("A Life Coach Less Ordinary"), married psychotherapists and motivational speakers. Arthur Smith and Kent Weed are executive producing the project, exact format details of which weren't specified.
WILFRED (FX, New!) - David Zuckerman ("Family Guy") is reportedly looking to import the Australian series of the same name about a couple named Sarah and Adam and her dog, Wilfred. The twist of the show then is while Sarah sees Wilfred as a scruffy dog, Adam sees him as a real person dressed in a dog costume with whom he quickly develops a grudge. Jason Gann and Adam Zwar are behind the original incarnation, which recently began its second season on SBS TV. Zuckerman will presumably pen the adaptation while it's not clear if Gann and Zwar will be involved. No other specifics were given.
