[05/27/10 - 06:58 PM] Development Update: Thursday, May 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!
GHOST WHISPERER (CBS) - The Alphabet has passed on picking up the former CBS series, news which spells the end of the road for the five-year series. "After five wonderful seasons and over 100 episodes, we are disappointed to announce Ghost Whisperer will not be returning for a sixth season," executive producers Kim Moses and Ian Sander said in a statement. "We've had an incredible experience and owe a debt of gratitude to everyone involved. We continue our relationship with ABC Studios and look forward to developing many more successful projects together in the future."
OFF THE MAP (ABC) - Jenna Bans has inked a two-year, seven-figure overall deal with ABC Studios. The pact will keep the "Grey's Anatomy" alum at the helm of the midseason drama, which she created. Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers also serve as executive producers on said hour.
PROJECT RUNWAY (Lifetime) - The cable channel is developing two reality projects that have roots in its "Project Runway" franchise. The first is an untitled effort featuring former contestants Santino Rice and Austin Scarlett as they cross the country finding women in need of a fashion makeover. Rich Bye is executive producing for The Weinstein Co. The second, "Love's Divine," features host Heidi Klum and her popstar husband, Seal, as they travel the country to help couples in need of coaching. No studio is currently attached.
TERRA NOVA (FOX) - Alex Graves ("Fringe") is in talks to direct the pilot of the Steven Spielberg-produced drama, which received a straight-to-series commitment earlier this month. Said hour follows "an ordinary family embarking on an incredible journey back in time to prehistoric Earth as a small part of a massive experiment to save the human race." Aaron Kaplan, Brannon Braga, Craig Silverstein, Darryl Frank, David Fury, Justin Falvey, Katherine Pope, Kelly Marcel and Peter Chernin also serve as executive producers. Graves previously helmed the pilot for NBC's "Day One," which ultimately didn't move forward to series.
TILT (ESPN) - Brian Koppelman and David Levien, the duo behind the ESPN drama, have inked a first-look deal at 20th Century Fox Television. The pact gives the studio first crack at Koppelman and Levien's company's output. The pair are best known for their feature work, including "Solitary Man," "The Girlfriend Experience" and most notably "Ocean's Thirteen" and "Rounders."
THE WHOLE TRUTH (ABC) - Maura Tierney ("ER") is in talks to join the cast of the legal drama, a procedural which tells stories from both the prosecution and the defense's point of view. She would play Kathryn Peale, the head prosecutor, a role recently vacated by Joely Richardson. Tierney recently starred in the original pilot to "Parenthood" but ultimately had to drop out of the series due to health issues.
