or


[06/06/14 - 11:43 PM]
Development Update: Friday, June 6
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!


CASUAL VACANCY, THE (HBO; W: Sarah Phelps; D: Jonny Campbell) - Michael Gambon, Keeley Hawes, Rory Kinnear, Monica Dolan, Julia McKenzie and Rufus Jones will topline the cast of the mini-series, a small screen take on J.K. Rowling's novel of the same name about "a seemingly idyllic English village with a cobbled market square and ancient abbey." Gambon plays Howard Mollison, "owner of the Pagford delicatessen"; with Dolan as Tess Wall; McKenzie as Howard's wife, Shirley Mollison; Jones as Howard's son, Miles Mollison; Hawes as Miles's wife, Samantha Mollison; and Kinnear as Barry Fairbrother. Also starring are Simon McBurney as Tess' husband, Colin Wall; Keeley Forsyth as Terri Weedon; Abigail Lawrie as Terri's daughter, Krystal Weedon; Richard Glover as Simon Price; Marie Critchley as Simon's wife, Ruth Price; and Michelle Austin. (Deadline.com)


DOWN DOG (Amazon, New!) - Robin Schiff ("Are You There, Chelsea?") has landed a pilot commitment from the digital company for a new comedy about "a slacker working as a yoga instructor who takes over the yoga studio with no skills and experience, relying on the help of his two childhood friends." No other details were given. (Deadline.com)


GOD SAVE TEXAS (HBO, New!) - Pulitzer Prize-winning author Lawrence Wright (The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda And The Road To 9/11) is developing a new drama at the pay channel about "an idealistic cowboy who, looking to save his ranch and marriage, tries to get elected to the Texas Legislature, where he becomes the target of the powerful energy lobby and learns how to survive in the crazy, brutal world of Texas politics." Lauren Shuler Donner, Margo Lion and Jack Leslie will also executive produce The Donners' Company-based hour, which is based on Wright's 2005 play "Sonny's Last Shot." (Deadline.com)


NARCOS (Netflix; W: Carlo Bernard & Doug Miro; D: José Padilha) - Pedro Pascal ("Game of Thrones") has been cast in the upcoming drama, an all-new take on the amazing story of the Medellin Cartel, once the world's most ambitious and violent trafficking organization. He'll play Javier Pena, "a Mexican DEA agent sent to Colombia on a U.S. mission to capture and ultimately kill Pablo Escobar (Wagner Moura)." Boyd Holbrook also stars. (Deadline.com)


RED OAKS (Amazon; W: Greg Jacobs & Joe Gangemi; D: David Gordon Green) - Gage Golightly ("Teen Wolf") has joined the cast of the Steven Soderbergh-produced comedy pilot, set in the summer of 1985 and follows 20-year-old David Myers who takes a job as an assistant tennis pro at the predominantly Jewish Red Oaks country club in New Jersey and tries to figure out what kind of life he wants to lead. She's set as Karen, "David's girlfriend and co-worker at Red Oaks Country Club." Ennis Esmer and Richard Kind also star. (Deadline.com)


RETURNED, THE (A&E; W: Carlton Cuse & Raelle Tucker; D: Keith Gordon) - Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Sandrine Holt and Agnes Bruckner are the latest additions to the drama series, which focuses on a small town that is turned upside down when several local people, who have been long presumed dead suddenly reappear, bringing with them both positive and detrimental consequences. Winstead will play Rowan, "the girlfriend of late musician Simon (Mat Vairo) who had a very difficult time getting past his death 10 years ago and now will have to adjust to his return"; with Holt as Julie, "a competent compassionate doctor who is struggling in her personal life"; and Bruckner as "the sheriff's chief deputy." Jeremy Sisto, Kevin Alejandro, Sophie Lowe, Mark Pellegrino and India Ennenga also star. (Deadline.com)


SALEM ROGERS: MODEL OF THE YEAR 1998 (Amazon, New!) - Lindsey Stoddart has reportedly booked a pilot order from the digital company for a new comedy about "a self-centered, arrogant former supermodel who is forced to leave rehab after 10 years and reunites with her long-suffering former assistant, now a self-help writer using her years with Salem as an inspiration." No other details were given. (Deadline.com)


WHITNEY HOUSTON (Lifetime; W: Shem Bitterman; D: Angela Bassett) - "America's Next Top Model" alum Yaya DaCosta has booked the title role on the cable channel's biopic of the same name, which chronicles the headline-making relationship between the iconic singer, actress, producer and model, and singer, songwriter Bobby Brown -- from the time they first met at the very height of their celebrity, to their courtship and tumultuous marriage. The Sanitsky Company is producing. (TVLine.com)


AND IN OTHER NEWS... - Thom Barry will recur on "Perception" as "the skeptical and no-nonsense special agent in command of the Chicago FBI office and Kate Moretti's (Rachel Leigh Cook) boss" (Deadline.com); and NBC has opted to postpone its early production on episode three of "Law & Order: SVU's" upcoming 16th season "due to exhaustion on the part of the cast, particularly star Mariska Hargitay" (Deadline.com).






  [june 2014]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL (VH1)
· ARE YOU THERE, CHELSEA? (NBC)
· CASUAL VACANCY, THE (HBO)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· DOWN DOG (AMAZON)
· GAME OF THRONES (HBO)
· GOD SAVE TEXAS (HBO)
· LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT (NBC)
· NARCOS (NETFLIX)
· PERCEPTION (TNT)
· RED OAKS (AMAZON)
· RETURNED, THE (A AND E)
· SALEM ROGERS: MODEL OF THE YEAR 1998 (AMAZON)
· TEEN WOLF (MTV)
· WHITNEY (LIFETIME)





[10/15/26 - 01:00 PM]
Fandango Expands Into Original Programming with "Bad Girls Club: Unfinished Business"
The special event reunites six unforgettable personalities from Season 7 of the iconic "Bad Girls Club" franchise, Fandango's most-watched season: Angie Castillo, Judi Jackson, Priscilla Mennella, Shelly Hickman, Stasi Townsend, and Tiara Hodge.

[10/15/26 - 12:01 PM]
National Geographic's "Wolves Up Close with Bertie Gregory" Premieres Nov. 6
Reconnecting with a pack of wolves he has followed for seven years, Bertie sets out to capture one of the Arctic's most dangerous and rarely filmed hunts: wolves taking on a bull moose, prey roughly ten times their size.

[10/15/26 - 12:00 PM]
Peacock's "Nelly and Ashanti: We Belong Together" Season Two Premieres on Thursday, Nov. 19
In the eight new episodes, the couple navigates love, family, and demanding careers while taking control of their legacy.

[10/15/26 - 11:01 AM]
Comedy Central Announces "The Daily Show Presents: Jordan Klepper Fingers the Pulse: Red Flags"
The special premieres immediately following "The Daily Show" on Monday, October 26 at 11:30pm ET/PT and will be available on Paramount+, "The Daily Show's" YouTube Channel, and VOD on Tuesday, October 27.

[10/15/26 - 11:00 AM]
The CW Network Sets Broadcast Schedule for 2026-27 Men's and Women's College Basketball
The network will also introduce "CW Courtside Wednesday" this winter, highlighting midweek marquee games across all three conferences in primetime.

[10/15/26 - 10:29 AM]
ESPN Delivered Its Most-Watched WNBA Playoffs Ever!
Across eight games, ESPN networks averaged 1.4 million viewers, up 23% compared to coverage through the semifinals last year.

[10/15/26 - 10:00 AM]
Skydance TV Networks to Re-Air "The Concert for New York City," Marking Its 25th Anniversary
Staged in the aftermath of 9/11, the landmark concert brought together the music community, first responders, dignitaries and New Yorkers in an extraordinary demonstration of unity, generosity and resolve.

[10/15/26 - 09:12 AM]
Paramount+ Scottish Highland Drama "Laird" Announces Additional Casting
Jennifer Ehle,Peter Mullan, Phia Saban, Ruaridh Mollica, Holliday Grainger, Douglas Hodge, and Corey Mylchreest are the latest additions.

[10/15/26 - 09:08 AM]
"Pardon the Interruption" Marks 25 Years of Must-See Sports Debate with Special Anniversary Celebration on ESPN
On Thursday, October 22, ESPN celebrates the silver anniversary of "PTI" with a special double-episode event.

[10/15/26 - 08:02 AM]
Al Pacino to Be Honored with the 2026 SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award
Pacino will be presented with the union's top tribute at The 33rd Annual Actor Awards Presented by SAG-AFTRA, which will stream live on Netflix Sunday, February 28, 2027, at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT from the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall.

[10/15/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: Paramount+ Reveals December 18 Premiere Date & Teaser for "Frisco King," Starring Samuel L. Jackson
Written by Taylor Sheridan, "Frisco King" follows seasoned New Orleans gangster Lee Washington as he lands in Frisco, Texas, and discovers a hustler's playground hidden beneath the polished surface of American suburbia.

[10/15/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "The Fall of El Mayo" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, longtime partner of "El Chapo", and a ghost to authorities for over three decades. The documentary that tells the story of his downfall.

[10/15/26 - 08:00 AM]
CBS Wins Its Premiere Week with Eight of the Top 10 Broadcast Shows and Delivers +9% Year-Over-Year Growth
Weekly viewership averaged 4.43 million viewers, growing +9% from its 2025 premiere week (4.08m viewers).

[10/15/26 - 07:01 AM]
TNT Sports & DAZN Present World Championship Boxing Doubleheader on "The Fight", Saturday, Oct. 17
Headlining the evening, WBC Super Welterweight Champion Sebastián "The Towering Inferno" Fundora (24-1-1, 16 KOs) will put his title on the line against unbeaten challenger Ermal Hadribeaj (23-0-1, 8 KOs) in a scheduled 12-round showdown.

[10/15/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "In a Holidaze" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Maddie Ziegler stars in this festive romantic comedy about second chances, tangled feelings, and a chosen family you'll want to spend the holidays with.