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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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[09/18/26 - 03:15 PM]
ABC News' "Nightline" Wins Late Night Across the Board
For the sixth week running, "Nightline" increased year to year in Total Viewers and Adults 25-54.
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[09/18/26 - 03:11 PM]
Netflix Announces New Drama Series "Ladies of the House"
Based on Lauren Edmondson's novel of the same name, the series reunites Sheryl J. Anderson with "Sweet Magnolias" star JoAnna Garcia Swisher.
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[09/18/26 - 12:58 PM]
Marking a Somber Anniversary of the September 11 Attacks, ABC News' 9/11 Special, Anchored by David Muir, Robin Roberts and Diane Sawyer, Draws Over 4 Million Total Viewers
The special was also the No. 1 non-sports program of the night in Adults 25-54 (802,000) and Adults 18-49 (559,000).
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[09/18/26 - 12:21 PM]
HBO Orders New Original Drama Series "The Spread," Starring and Executive Produced by Academy Award-Winner Javier Bardem
Matthew Vaughn will direct and executive produce the project, to be written and executive produced by Bill Dubuque and Sean Sansiveri.
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[09/18/26 - 10:29 AM]
OWN Greenlights Breakout Hit "Put a Ring on It: Cheathab" for Two More Seasons Ahead of Its Season One Finale
Production on the new episodes will begin this fall to air in 2027.
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[09/18/26 - 09:21 AM]
New Paramount+ Limited Series "The Best of Us" Begins Production in New York City
LaChanze, Richard Schiff, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Joe Morton, Jen Tullock, William Baldwin, and Keith W. Richards also join the cast.
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[09/18/26 - 09:00 AM]
Wonder Project and Amazon MGM Studios Begin Production on Season Three of "House of David" in Greece
The season brings this trilogy to an epic conclusion, completing David's (Michael Iskander) transformation from outcast shepherd to fierce warrior to his ultimate destiny as King.
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[09/18/26 - 09:00 AM]
Social Categories Revealed for the "2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs)" Sunday, Sept. 27 on CBS
All voting will be hosted on the @MTV Instagram Story until Sunday, September 27 at 11:00 AM, ET.
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[09/18/26 - 08:18 AM]
Video: Official Trailer for New Supernatural Teen Drama "Coven Academy" Drops Ahead of Oct. 1 Premiere on Freeform, Next Day on Disney+ and Hulu
As the story unfolds in a bingeable new format, the fast-paced chapters are designed to pull audiences deeper into the magic at every turn.
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[09/18/26 - 07:55 AM]
Peacock Reveals Celebrity Cast for a New Season of the Emmy Award-Winning Reality Competition Series "The Traitors," Coming in 2027
Steering the game with his unrivaled looks and signature wit is beloved host and Emmy Award-winner Alan Cumming, who also serves as executive producer.
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[09/18/26 - 07:01 AM]
Chloe Sevigny Joins the Cast of "The Trial of Louise Woodward"
She will play Louise's defense attorney, Elaine Whitfield Sharp, in the HBO limited series.
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[09/18/26 - 07:00 AM]
Video: All Reality and We TV Unveil a First Look at New Original Series "Love After Lockup: Relationship Rehab" Premiering Friday, October 2
The nine-episode series gathers five fan-favorite couples from the franchise as they embark on a transformative journey with psychiatrist and nationally recognized relationship expert, Dr. Ish Major, working to heal old wounds and rebuild their relationships.
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[09/18/26 - 06:31 AM]
Netflix Adds Legend Andres Cantor to Broadcast Team for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027
The addition marks a milestone moment for Netflix's historic coverage of the tournament, which will feature English and Spanish-language broadcasts in the United States, and English and French-language broadcasts in Canada.
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[09/18/26 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Therapy Done Right" - Official Trailer - Netflix
A psychoanalyst who's lost faith in traditional therapy crosses every boundary to help a blocked novelist in this cutting Argentine dark comedy.
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[09/18/26 - 02:01 AM]
Video: "Seriously Single Too" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Dineo and Noni - besties meant to take on the party scene together - suddenly face their biggest fear when Noni's boyfriend spontaneously proposes.
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