[06/03/10 - 08:05 PM] Development Update: Thursday, June 3 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!
FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS (NBC) - Ira Ungerleider ("Gary Unmarried") has been tapped to run the upcoming comedy, about five pals and their romantic exploits. There he'll serve alongside director David Dobkin, co-creators Scott Neustadter and Mike Weber and non-writing executive producers Brian Grazer, David Nevins and Jeff Kleeman. In addition, Ungerleider has received a blind script commitment from producer 20th Century Fox Television for a future project. Danneel Harris, Jessica Lucas and Ryan Hansen star in "Benefits," while co-stars Fran Kranz and Ian Reed Kessler's roles are being recast.
IN TREATMENT (HBO) - Amy Ryan ("The Office") is the final addition to the show's forthcoming third season. She'll play Paul's new therapist, who takes over for the departing Dianne Wiest. Ryan joins previously announced additions Debra Winger, Dane DeHaan and Irrfan Khan.
MAD LOVE (A.K.A. TRUE LOVE) (CBS) - The Eye is reportedly on track to give the multi-camera comedy, formerly known as "True Love," a midseason order of 13 episodes. The network and producer Sony Pictures Television are still hammering out the deal, which is likely contingent on casting the role vacated by Lizzy Caplan. The actress guest starred in the pilot, about four friends looking for love in New York City, but is opting not to continue as a series regular. Hal Williams, Jason Biggs, Minka Kelly and Sarah Wright also star in the project, a co-production of CBS Television Studios, FanFare Productions and Sony. Matt Tarses created the half-hour and is executive producing alongside Jamie Tarses.
NO ORDINARY FAMILY (ABC) - Tate Donovan and Christina Chang have both been dropped as series regulars from the upcoming drama, about an average American family that develops special abilities. Donovan played Mitch McCutcheon, the pilot of the family's doomed flight in the Amazon - the crash of which spawned their superpowers; while Chang played Yvonne Cho, a cop at the precinct where Michael Chiklis's works as a sketch artist. No reason was given for the decision however both may still turn up as guest stars.
