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[05/23/25 - 11:39 PM]
Development Update: Week of May 19-23
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!
7TH HEAVEN (REBOOT SERIES) (New!) - Anthony Sparks is spearheading a reboot of the former The WB/The CW staple at CBS Studios, which "would focus on a diverse family, and that none of the original cast members would appear." Original series star Jessica Biel is also on board to executive produce via her and Michelle Purple's Iron Ocean banner; as is DeVon Franklin via his Franklin Entertainment. No network or streamer is currently attached. (Variety.com, 5/19)
ALL FOURS (Starz) - Plan B has signed on to produce the network's Miranda July adaptation. (Deadline.com, 5/23)
AMERICAN LOVE STORY (FX) - Max Winkler has been tapped to helm the debut installment of the series, from executive producers Ryan Murphy, Brad Simpson, Nina Jacobson, D.V. DiVencentis and Connor Hines. (Deadline.com, 5/19)
BABY QUEEN (HBO, New!) - Alex Metcalf is developing a small screen take on the upcoming debut novel from Ty Landers at the network: "Baby Queen centers on Natalie Link who returns home to take over her family's honey business - but when a body is discovered on the property, three generations of women are forced to confront the secrets, betrayals, and buried crimes that haunt their Southern legacy." Michael Ellenberg, Lindsey Springer, Alison Mo Massey and Jessica Rhoades will also executive produce for Media Res and Pacesetter with Mark Kinsella as a co-executive producer. (Deadline.com, 5/21)
FIGHTLAND (Starz) - The long-in-the-works drama has opened a writers' room at the network. Damione Macedon and Raphael Jackson Jr. will serve as showrunners and executive produce alongside Daniel Fajemisin-Duncan, Marlon Smith, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Francis Hopkinson and Kate Leadbetter. (Deadline.com, 5/23)
HOLIDAY TOUCHDOWN: A BILLS LOVE STORY (Hallmark Channel) - Joe Pantoliano will replace Tony Danza in the holiday film, who "had a last-minute scheduling conflict with production dates." (TVLine.com, 5/21)
IMPERFECT WOMEN (Apple TV+) - Wilson Bethel, Keith Carradine, and Jackson Kelly will recur on the limited series as Scott, RL Hennessy, and Marcus, respectively. No other details were given. (Deadline.com, 5/23)
KINGMAKER (Starz, New!) - The pay channel has opened a writers' room for a proposed drama from Al Letson: "Set against the glittering backdrop of Washington D.C., "Kingmaker" explores the ruthless, high-stakes world of the Black political elite as they struggle for power, position, and prestige at the highest levels of American government. The series follows the cunning machinations of a legendary power broker as he works in the shadows to reclaim his throne as the undisputed "Kingmaker" on the national political scene. Secrets, betrayals, illicit affairs, and shocking scandals collide as he stops at nothing to outmaneuver his rivals and seize supreme control." Theo Travers, Beau Willimon, Jordan Tappis and Michael Lombardo will also executive produce for Westward. (Deadline.com, 5/23)
MASQUERADE (Starz, New!) - Dave Holstein has sold a new drama to the pay channel which has opened a writers' room: "Set in Venice, Masquerade is the story of an American woman who takes on a new identity at a European wedding, using the art of seduction in a murderous con to escape her past and regain her fortune." Stacey Sher will also executive produce. (Deadline.com, 5/23)
PRODIGIES (Apple TV+) - Rina Sawayama will star opposite Will Sharpe and Ayo Edebiri in the comedy series as "Ren's sister Hana in a recurring role." (Deadline.com, 5/20)
SCRUBS (REBOOT SERIES) (ABC) - Zach Braff has closed a deal to reprise his role of John "J.D." Dorian in the proposed sequel series at the network. (Deadline.com, 5/21)
SECRET OF SECRETS, THE (Netflix, New!) - The streamer has given a straight-to-series order for a new Robert Langdon series from Carlton Cuse and author Dan Brown, based on his upcoming novel: "In it, symbologist Robert Langdon races against ancient forces and time to rescue a missing scientist and her groundbreaking manuscript whose discoveries have the power to forever change humanity's understanding of the mind. The series adaptation will blend futuristic science with mystical lore, delivering on the heart-pounding suspense and international intrigue that has made the Langdon stories a global phenomenon." Emma Forman of Genre-Arts also executive produces. (Deadline.com, 5/22)
SHARDS, THE (FX) - Kaia Gerber is set to star in the Bret Easton Ellis adaptation, which is now formally set up at FX for development after originating at HBO. Ellis will executive produce alongside Ryan Murphy, director Max Winkler, Nick Hall, Kathleen McCaffrey and Brian Young for the 20th Television-based Ryan Murphy Television (Deadline.com, 5/19)
STRANGERS (Peacock, New!) - Jon Harmon Feldman has sold a new drama to the streamer: "Strangers is described as Strangers On a Train with two female leads. In it, when a long-neglected housewife befriends a mysterious woman who is her polar opposite, the two women find that they have far more in common than they thought. As their friendship unfolds, we soon learn that they both harbor secrets that could quickly unravel their quiet suburban lives." Leslie Mann and Gabrielle Union are being eyed to star in the project, which they would also executive produce alongside Feldman, Jennifer Klein and Sheldon Turner for 100% Productions, A+E Studios and UCP. (Deadline.com, 5/19)
STUMBLE (NBC) - The mockumentary comedy pilot has cast Ryan Pinkston as Stevie, a dropout who "re-enrolls and joins Courteney's (Jenn Lyon) new team as a thirtysomething 'senior'"; Anissa Borrego as Krystal, "the star flyer at Sammy Davis Sr. Junior college"; Arianna Davis as Madonna, "the narcoleptic tumbler who ironically provides the cheer team with energy"; Taylor Dunbar as Peaches, "a kleptomaniac troublemaker with sick skills who's given a chance by Courteney"; Taran Killam as Boone E. Potter, "the football coach of Sammy Davis Sr. Junior college, married to his high school sweetheart and cheer coach, Courteney"; Jarrett Austin Brown as Dimarcus, "the starting quarterback who leads the team in rushing yards and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties"; and Georgie Murphy as Sally who is "not a great cheerleader, but Courteney sees potential in her." (Deadline.com, 5/22)
TERMINAL LIST, THE (Amazon) - Costa Ronin will recur in the new season as "billionaire and media mogul, Vasili Adrenov." (Deadline.com, 5/21)
WHEEL OF TIME, THE (Amazon) - The streamer has pulled the plug on the fantasy series after three seasons. (Deadline.com, 5/23)
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[05/23/25 - 11:39 PM]
Development Update: Week of May 19-23
Updates include: Prime Video cancels "The Wheel of Time" after three seasons; NBC rounds out cast of comedy pilot "Stumble"; and Starz opens writers' rooms for three projects.
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[05/23/25 - 08:02 AM]
ESPN Selects Top Major League Baseball Rivalries for "Sunday Night Baseball" on June 8 and June 15
The New York Yankees to host Boston Red Sox on June 8; and Los Angeles Dodgers to host San Francisco Giants on June 15.
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[05/23/25 - 02:01 AM]
Video: "Grenfell: Uncovered" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Survivors, witnesses and experts tell the story of the tragic fire that engulfed a residential tower block in London - and the investigation that ensued.
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[05/22/25 - 02:02 PM]
Bravo's "Top Chef" Heads to Milan for Season 22 Finale
Host Kristen Kish, head judge Tom Colicchio and perennial judge Gail Simmons are also joined at the final table by culinary powerhouses Richard Blais, Carlo Cracco, Sarah Cicolini, Tim Flores, Gregory Gourdet, Genie Kwon, Santiago Lastra, Hunter Lewis and Clare Smyth.
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[05/22/25 - 01:02 PM]
"Soaring to Life: The Making of How to Train Your Dragon" Special to Air Friday, June 6 at 8 P.M. on NBC and Next Day on Peacock
The film opens in theaters nationwide on June 13.
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[05/22/25 - 12:39 PM]
Summer Heats Up with New Sizzling Viaplay Original Series "Mafia" and "In the Name of Love" as Streamer Announces July and August U.S. Premieres
Other highlights include "Johanna Möller - Sweden's Most Hated Woman" on Thursday, July 10.
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[05/22/25 - 12:18 PM]
"Survivor" Finale Is CBS' Most-Watched Wednesday in a Year
The three-hour season 48 finale was the #1 broadcast of the night among Adults 25-54 with 0.9.
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[05/22/25 - 11:31 AM]
FOX Nation to Present Patriotic-Themed Programming Ahead of Memorial Day 2025
Additionally, Martha MacCallum will host a new episode of "The Final Journey of the Forgotten Warriors," sharing the stories of Korean War Veterans that fought for our country during "The Forgotten War."
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[05/22/25 - 10:03 AM]
Josh Hartnett to Star in Newfoundland Limited Series at Netflix
He'll play a hard-bitten fisherman whose remote town is being terrorized by a mysterious sea creature.
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[05/22/25 - 10:00 AM]
Video: Trailer & Key Art - Hulu Original "Atsuko Okatsuka: Father"
Premiering on Friday, June 13 on Hulu, this is the eighth original special in Hulu's new stand-up comedy slate, Hularious.
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[05/22/25 - 09:07 AM]
"The Other Bennet Sister" Finds Its Mary Ella Bruccoleri to Star in New BritBox Drama Based on the Best-Selling Novel by Janice Hadlow
Bruccoleri will take on the role of one of Jane Austen's most unassuming characters: Mary Bennet - the seemingly unremarkable and overlooked middle sister in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
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[05/22/25 - 09:06 AM]
Discovery's Annual "Shark Week" Kicks Off July 20th, 2025 at 8PM ET/PT
A full programming schedule for "Shark Week" will be distributed in the coming weeks.
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[05/22/25 - 09:04 AM]
Prime Video Announces July 9 Premiere Date for "Ballard"
The series, the latest in the Bosch universe, will debut all 10 episodes exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide on Wednesday, July 9.
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[05/22/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "KPop Demon Hunters" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When K-pop superstars Rumi, Mira, and Zoey aren't selling out stadiums, they're using their secret identities as demon hunters to protect their fans from ever-present supernatural danger.
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[05/22/25 - 08:31 AM]
Video: "Rosario Tijeras (Mexico)" Season 4 - Official Trailer - Netflix
Years after Rosario's sacrifice, her legend haunts her daughter, Ruby. As the teen's life takes a dangerous turn, secrets from her past begin to unravel.
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