or


[02/21/11 - 09:55 PM]
Development Update: Monday, February 21
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!


CRIMINAL MINDS (CBS) - Simon Mirren, an executive producer on the veteran drama, has reportedly inked an overall deal with Sony Pictures Television. The pact, which begins in June, will set the writer/producer up at the studio where he'll develop new series projects. It will also spell the end of his six-year run at "Minds," which is co-produced by ABC Studios and CBS Television Studios. Financial details weren't specified. Separately, Mirren is executive producing "The Sector" at Cinemax, an action-adventure drama from Scott Free Productions, Anne Thomopoluos and Aaron and Matt Benay.


HAIL MARY (CBS) - Minnie Driver ("The Riches") has booked the title role on the drama pilot, about a suburban single mom who teams up with a streetwise hustler to solve crimes. She'll play the aforementioned mom, Mary Beth Baker, a pretty and petite guidance counselor ("a little bit Erin Brockovich and a lot Leigh Ann Tuohy"). Jeff Wadlow penned the hour for Warner Bros. Television.


IN CRISIS (ABC) - Guillermo Diaz ("Mercy") is the latest addition to the drama pilot, about a professional fixer (Kerry Washington) and her dysfunctional staff. He'll play Huck, the firm's the lone paralegal who is also an expert hacker. Columbus Short, Henry Ian Cusick and Katie Lowes also star in the ABC Studios-based hour, from writer Shonda Rhimes and director Paul McGuigan.


MISSING (ABC) - Ashley Judd is reportedly on track for the lead role in the upcoming drama, about "a devoted single mom who, after her 18-year-old son disappears in Italy where he'd been working on architecture fellowship, takes it upon herself to travel to Europe and track him down." She'll play said woman, Becca Winstone, "a former CIA agent who will stop at nothing to bring her son home alive." Steve Shill is directing the pilot to the project, which was ordered directly to series last month. Gina Matthews, Grant Scharbo and creator Greg Poirier are executive producing alongside Shill for ABC Studios. Production is set to begin late next month in Rome, Vienna and Prague for a late summer/early fall bow.


MY LIFE AS AN EXPERIMENT (NBC) - Adam Campbell ("Harper's Island") is the first to be cast in the comedy pilot, about the adventures of A.J. Wilder, an immersion journalist and how his unusual assignments affect his home life with his wife and two kids. He'll play Dan Meadow, A.J.'s editor and "perhaps the manliest man in America." Cathy Yuspa and Josh Goldsmith co-wrote the half-hour, which is based on A.J. Jacobs's book of the same name. Sony Pictures Television is producing.


PRIME SUSPECT (NBC) - Toby Stephens ("Vexed") has joined the cast of the Maria Bello-led drama pilot, a remake of the iconic British series of the same name. He'll play Matt Webb ("an usually genial man in his 40s"), the live-in boyfriend of Bello's character, Jane Timoney, who is fighting his ex-wife to allow their son to stay with him and Jane. Alexandra Cunningham penned the Universal Media Studios-based hour, to be directed by Peter Berg.


REM (NBC) - Jason Isaacs ("Brotherhood") has booked the lead role on the drama pilot, about Mark Britten, a police detective living in two different realities following a horrible car accident: one in which his son Rex lives, another in which his wife Hannah lives. He'll play said cop ("40ish, handsome, but a weight to his stare") in the 20th Century Fox Television-based hour, which David Slade is directing from a script by Kyle Killen. Isaacs will also receive a producing credit while Howard Gordon is executive producing alongside Killen. In addition, Tim Minear ("Terriers") has been tapped as a consulting producer.


SUBURGATORY (ABC) - Alan Tudyk ("Dollhouse") is the latest addition to the comedy pilot, about Tessa (Jane Levy), "a teenage girl who is moved by her dad George from Manhattan, where she grew up, to her version of hell: the suburbs." He's on board as Noah Werner, George's college buddy, who's "too tan for the season with white teeth and professionally tousled hair." Michael Fresco is directing the Emily Kapnek-penned half-hour for Warner Bros. Television.






  [february 2011]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· AWAKE (NBC)
· BROTHERHOOD (SHOWTIME)
· CRIMINAL MINDS (CBS)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· DOLLHOUSE (FOX)
· HAIL MARY (CBS)
· HARPER'S ISLAND (CBS)
· MERCY (NBC)
· MISSING (ABC)
· MY LIFE AS AN EXPERIMENT (NBC)
· PRIME SUSPECT (NBC)
· RICHES, THE (FX)
· SCANDAL (ABC)
· SECTOR, THE (CINEMAX)
· SUBURGATORY (ABC)





[05/07/26 - 02:00 PM]
Class Is in Session: FOX Announces New Celebrity Game Show "Nation's Dumbest" - The Only Competition You Don't Want to Win
Taking attendance as host is acclaimed comedian Jack Whitehall, who presides over the chaos as contestants relive the highs and humiliations of school life - from pop quizzes and report cards to recess and parent teacher conferences - all while trying to stay out of last place.

[05/07/26 - 01:10 PM]
ESPN Debuts Short Documentary "Messi: The Forgotten Tape / Messi: La Cinta Olvidada"
Debuting Sunday, May 10 at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, the documentary highlights the pivotal moment that helped shape Lionel Messi's international future and altered the trajectory of global football.

[05/07/26 - 12:21 PM]
FOX Television Network Renews "Murder in a Small Town" for Season Three
Joining the cast is Peter Gallagher as Rod Finlayson, a charismatic, uber-independent, capable yet unreliable figure.

[05/07/26 - 11:01 AM]
First Look & Date Announcement - Hulu Original "Hannah Berner: None of My Business"
The special will premiere on Friday, June 5 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S., and on Disney+ internationally.

[05/07/26 - 10:46 AM]
CNN Original Series "This Land" Premieres Sunday, June 7 at 9pm ET/PT
Produced by October Films, the series will air two episodes weekly on Sundays at 9pm and 10pm ET/PT on CNN.

[05/07/26 - 10:09 AM]
BET Announces the Return of the Black + Iconic Soiree on May 23, 2026 at MGM National Harbor, Hosted by Laverne Cox, Celebrating Culture, Community, and Impact
The Black + Iconic Soirée brings together luminaries, advocates, and changemakers for an intimate evening of recognition, reflection, and celebration.

[05/07/26 - 10:02 AM]
New Episode Of HBO Original Documentary Series "The Yogurt Shop Murders" Debuts May 22
The first four episodes of the series are currently available to stream on HBO Max.

[05/07/26 - 10:00 AM]
Starz Sets June 12 Premiere Date for Visceral and Haunting Drama "The Listeners," Starring BAFTA and Golden Globe Nominee Rebecca Hall
Adapted from Jordan Tannahill's bestselling novel of the same name, the female-driven series centers on Claire Kutty, a popular English teacher who suddenly begins to hear a low, persistent hum that no one else around her can hear.

[05/07/26 - 10:00 AM]
Performers Announced for "The 52nd American Music Awards" Live Monday, May 25
Hootie & the Blowfish, KATSEYE, Keith Urban, Maluma, Riley Green, SOMBR, Teddy Swims and Twenty One Pilots will all deliver can't-miss performances featuring some of today's biggest hits and fan favorites.

[05/07/26 - 09:30 AM]
PBS America @ 250 Continues with Semiquincentennial-Themed Programming to Mark the Nation's Historic Anniversary
New programming will air throughout 2026 and will include rebroadcasts of Ken Burns's groundbreaking 12-hour film, "The American Revolution."

[05/07/26 - 09:06 AM]
Tubi Greenlights YA Original Film "Sidelined 3" as Final Installment of the Hit Franchise
Stars Noah Beck and Siena Agudong are confirmed to reprise their roles as Drayton and Dallas, with Charlie Gillespie also returning in his role as Skyler.

[05/07/26 - 09:04 AM]
Video: "Wonder Dogs" - Official Promo - Wonder Project
Six ranchers. Six puppies from the same litter. One year to turn them into working dogs - and one will be crowned Wonder Dog champion.

[05/07/26 - 09:01 AM]
TNT Sports Unveils Commentator Roster for 2026 Roland-Garros
Live coverage from Paris will be presented across TNT, truTV and HBO Max in the U.S., combining elite match analysis, signature studio programming and expansive cross-platform storytelling.

[05/07/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Criminal Minds: Evolution" Season 19 Trailer & Key Art Announcement
This season will premiere with two episodes, with each episode dropping weekly thereafter through the season finale on July 23.

[05/07/26 - 09:01 AM]
The History Channel Partners with The White House on New "Mission to Honor: A 250th Salute to American Veterans" Initiative
At the heart of the initiative is a series of first-person video profiles featuring veterans from World War II through the Global War on Terror.