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[03/23/12 - 11:17 PM]
Development Update: Friday, March 23
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!
BAD GIRLS (NBC) - Jaime Pressly ("I Hate My Teenage Daughter") has booked a role on the pilot, a drama which follows the ins and outs of a group of unlikely women at a federal correctional institute. She'll play Melinda ("ominous; sexy"), the warden of Santa Del Mar Women's Federal Correctional Institute. Said role is in second position to her recently yanked FOX comedy. Amy Smart, Jurnee Smollett, Karolina Wydra, Kym Whitley, Rick Gonzalez, Tracee Ellis Ross and Zoe Boyle also star in the Warner Bros. Television-based hour, from director John Dahl and writer Nancy Marie Pimental. (Deadline.com)
COUNTER CULTURE (ABC) - Emmy-nominee Delta Burke ("Designing Women") has booked the remaining principal role on the comedy pilot, about three aging sisters running their family diner together in West Texas. She'll play the put-upon middle sister, Nonie Hayes, with the previously cast Margo Martindale as her bossy elder sister Joyce Cox and Kerri Kenney as the youngest, aging party girl Billie Haynes. Stephnie Weir is behind the ABC Studios/Sony Pictures Television-based half-hour, from director Ted Wass. Doris Roberts and Luis Guzman also star. (Deadline.com)
THE FAMILY TRAP (ABC) - Eva LaRue ("CSI: Miami") has scored a role on the comedy pilot, about newlyweds - Annie (Mandy Moore) and Ben (Nelson Franklin) - who get the opportunity of a lifetime to run a hip, new restaurant in her hometown but at the cost of bringing her closer to her needy and high maintenance parents (Stockard Channing, Kurt Fuller). She'll guest as Veronica, the lesbian partner of Annie's sister Kate (Erinn Hayes), a role which has the option to become a series regular. Majandra Delfino, Mike Castle and Ravi Patel also star in the 20th Century Fox Television-based half-hour, from director Shawn Levy and co-creators Bob Fisher and Stacy Traub. (THR.com)
THE FRONTIER (NBC) - Nathan Gamble ("Hank") has been cast in the pilot, a period drama about a diverse group of people who set out from Missouri on an incredible adventure across the western landscape to Oregon in the 1840. He'll play Samuel - the son of Cooper Hale (Jake McLaughlin), a farmer looking to start a new life - who is beset by visions of a white coated man that kidnapped his mother. Writer Shaun Cassidy and director Thomas Schlamme are behind the Sony Pictures Television-based hour, which also stars Al Weaver, Bridget Regan, Chaske Spencer, Clancy Brown, Erik Jensen, Ethan Embry, Gina Bramhill, Megan Ferguson and Mustafa Shakir. (THR.com)
HOW TO LIVE WITH YOUR PARENTS FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE (ABC) - Orlando Jones ("Rules of Engagement") is the latest to score a role on the comedy pilot, about Polly (Sarah Chalke), a recently divorced, single mom, who moves in with her eccentric parents (Elizabeth Perkins, Brad Garrett), a couple who's full of life but knows no boundaries. He'll play Gregg ("the kinda guy Polly's been looking for all her life but was too f--ed up to attract"), her married best friend and co-worker at Pantry Pete's, the Midwest's third most popular organic grocery store. Jon Dore, Rachel Eggleston and Rebecca Delgado Smith also star in the 20th Century Fox Television-based half-hour, from director Julie Anne Robinson and writer Claudia Lonow. (Deadline.com)
MISTRESSES (ABC) - Jason George ("Grey's Anatomy") and Brett Tucker ("Spartacus: Vengeance") have both landed roles on the upcoming drama, about the lives of four female friends and their involvement in an array of illicit and complex relationships. Tucker will play Harry Dillon, the loving husband of one of them (Alyssa Milano) and a successful restaurant owner; with George as Dominic Montgomery ("handsome and driven"), a co-worker at her law office with whom she has an undeniable chemistry. Cameron Bender, Erik Stocklin, Jes Macallan, Rochelle Aytes and Yunjin Kim also star in the project, from ABC Studios and writer K.J. Steinberg. (Deadline.com)
NED FOX IS MY MANNY (FOX) - Dakota Johnson ("21 Jump Street") has been tapped as the female lead in the comedy pilot, about Kate, an uptight single mom whose aimless brother Ned (Nat Faxon) moves in to help her raise her five-year-old daughter, Maddie (Maggie Jones). She'll play said woman, taking over for the previously cast Abby Elliott. 20th Century Fox Television is behind the half-hour, from director Jake Kasdan and writer Dana Fox. Austin Stowell, Echo Kellum and Lucy Punch also star. (Deadline.com)
NOTORIOUS (NBC) - Ella Rae Peck ("Gossip Girl") and newcomer Makenzie Leigh have joined the cast of the drama pilot, about Joanna Locasto (Meagan Good), a police detective who returns undercover to the wealthy family she grew up in - as the maid's daughter - to solve the murder of Vivian Lawson, the notorious heiress who was once her closest friend. Peck will play Vivian's half-sister Mia, whose lifestyle mirrors Vivian's wild teen years; with Leigh as Vivian herself in flashbacks to her own teen years with Joanna. Katherine LaNasa, Neil Jackson, Tate Donovan and Victor Garber co-star in the Universal Television-based hour, from writer Liz Heldens. (Deadline.com)
SHELTER (The CW) - Australian actor Eka Darville and newcomer Hannah New are the latest additions to the drama pilot, about the staff and guests at Shelter Bay, a historic New England summer resort. New has been tapped for the lead role of Kathryn Gilchrist, who is at Shelter Bay for her wedding; with Darville as Bobby Repeta, a local who lives at Shelter Bay year-round and works at the bay as a fisherman. They'll join the previously cast Elizabeth Henstridge in the project, which comes from the Warner Bros. Television-Bad Robot Productions. Liz Friedlander is directing from a script by Mark Schwahn. (Deadline.com)
SUPER FUN NIGHT (CBS) - Jenny Slate ("Bored to Death") is the latest addition to the comedy pilot, about three nerdy female friends - Kimmie, Helen-Alice and Marika - on their "funcomfortable" quest to have "super fun" every Friday night. She'll play the super smart but socially challenged Helen-Alice, who's roommates with Kimmie (creator Rebel Wilson). Warner Bros. Television-based Conaco Productions is behind the half-hour, which also stars Alan Ritchson and Kevin Bishop. (Deadline.com)
SURPRISE, SURPRISE (NBC, New!) - The Peacock has acquired the domestic rights to a revival of the 1984-97 U.K. series which "surprised members of the public with long-held wishes, setting up tricks to fool members of the public, prank phone calls to people and reuniting guests with long-lost loved ones." Cilla Black hosted the original incarnation, which also aired annual specials in the four years following the close of its run. No details were given about the new take. Holly Willoughby is hosting ITV's own revival, due this fall. (Variety.com)
AND IN OTHER NEWS... - Ben Shenkman has landed a four-episode arc on "Royal Pains" as HankMed's new employee, who has "a top-notch resume and a brilliant mind for science, [but] a serious lack of the social skills required for concierge medicine" (TVGuide.com); Paula Marshall will guest on "CSI" as "a sexy, cold-hearted, tough and no-nonsense CEO of an oil company who also happens to be a premiere race truck driver" (TVLine.com); Jon Bernthal is on track to stop by "Harry's Law" as "a man who holds the courtroom hostage when the person accused of raping and murdering his sister is found not guilty" (TVLine.com); Maria Bello is set to recur on "Touch" as "an earth-mother" type whose daughter shares a gift similar to David Mazouz's Jake (Deadline.com); Robin McLeavy, who plays tattooed call girl Eva, has been upped to series regular on "Hell on Wheels" (THR.com); and FX is eyeing a small screen take on the Coen brothers' 1996 film "Fargo" from MGM Television (Variety.com).
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[03/03/26 - 03:30 PM]
ABC's Beloved Comedy "Scrubs" Returns with Over 11 Million Total Audience to Date
On linear over three days, "Scrubs" was the top comedy telecast among Adults 18-49 (0.74 rating) on any network (excluding post-NFL telecasts) in over a year.
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[03/03/26 - 03:00 PM]
"Marshals" Premiere on CBS Is the Most-Watched New Scripted Debut Without a Football Lead-In Since 2018, with 9.5 Million Viewers
"Marshals," "Tracker" and "60 Minutes" are the top three series on television for the week.
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[03/03/26 - 02:04 PM]
FOX's "Doc" and American Red Cross Rally Fans to Give Blood During Red Cross Month
FOX is kicking off the campaign with a $20,000 donation to the Red Cross and encouraging fans across the country to help give others a second chance at life by giving blood and engaging on social media to further amplify the campaign and support critical blood collection efforts nationwide.
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[03/03/26 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of February 23 - "Bridgerton" Season 4 Lives Happily Ever After at No. 1 in This Week's Top 10
Coming in at No. 2 on the English TV list is Season 3 of "The Night Agent" with 9.9 million views.
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[03/03/26 - 11:01 AM]
Here Come the VIPs: Celebrities Are Entering the World of "Squid Game"
With more on the line than ever before, players and celebrity VIPs enter the "Squid Game: The VIP Challenge" for the chance at winning it all.
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[03/03/26 - 11:01 AM]
Lacey Chabert and Scott Michael Foster Star in "Paris Is Always a Good Idea" A New, Limited Series Premiering Later This Year Exclusively on Hallmark+
Based on the bestselling romance novel of the same name by Jenn McKinlay, the six-episode limited series is shooting on location in Paris and Spain.
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[03/03/26 - 10:42 AM]
"Foul Play with Anthony Davis" Star Studded Lineup Including LeBron James, Jordan Chiles, Tara Lipinski, Howie Mandel, Cooper Flagg, Puka Nacua and More Ignite the Ultimate Prank Wars
Hosted by 10-time NBA All-Star and Washington Wizards' Anthony Davis, the series will premiere on Monday, April 6 following the NCAA Championship Game and will simulcast across TBS,?TNT?and truTV.
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[03/03/26 - 10:16 AM]
NBC Renews Innovative Reality Travel Competition Series "Destination X" for Season Two
Produced by Twofour and Universal Television Alternative Studio, a division of Universal Studio Group, production on "Destination X" will begin later this year.
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[03/03/26 - 10:02 AM]
HBO Original Documentary Series "Born to Bowl" Debuts March 16
The series takes viewers inside the colorful world of professional bowling, chronicling five stars of the sport - Kyle Troup, Anthony Simonsen, EJ Tackett, Cameron Crowe, and Jason Belmonte - as they chase glory, respect, and much-needed prize money on the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour.
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[03/03/26 - 10:01 AM]
"Little House on the Prairie" Renewed for Season 2 Ahead of Series Premiere
Netflix's upcoming adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder's enduring, almost 100-year-old book series about growing up in the American West in the 1800s, will premiere on July 9, 2026 - and it's already coming back for more.
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[03/03/26 - 09:43 AM]
OWN Celebrates Women's History Month with a Special OWN Spotlight Honoring the Life and Legacy of Roberta Flack
"OWN Spotlight: Roberta" airs Thursday, March 12 at 9pm ET/PT on OWN.
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[03/03/26 - 09:09 AM]
TNT Sports Announces Multi-Year Extensions with Jimmy Rollins and Jeff Francoeur
MLB Tuesday on TBS will open its 2026 regular season coverage on Tuesday, March 31, with a matchup of baseball's home run leaders from the past two seasons: 2025 Home Run Champion Cal Raleigh and the Seattle Mariners will host 2024 Home Run Champion Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees at 9:30 p.m. ET.
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[03/03/26 - 09:06 AM]
Meet Your Max and Chloe in the Upcoming "Life Is Strange" Series on Prime Video
Tatum Grace Hopkins and Maisy Stella have been cast as Max Caulfield and Chloe Price, respectively.
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[03/03/26 - 09:01 AM]
The History Channel Announces Global Rollout of Landmark Series "World War II with Tom Hanks" Launching This Memorial Day
The landmark 20-episode documentary series reexamines World War II through the lens of a new century, offering a deeply human portrait of how the modern world was forged in the fires of global conflict.
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[03/03/26 - 08:54 AM]
Intense, Action-Packed Ukrainian Series "Double Stakes" Makes Exclusive U.S. Debut Thursday, March 19, 2026 on European Streamer Viaplay
Arriving at a cultural moment when American audiences are hungry for authentic stories from Ukraine, this eight-part series blends the moody atmospherics of Nordic Noir with the gritty realism of a modern Ukraine.
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