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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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[06/19/26 - 06:01 AM]
New Updates on Three Upcoming Netflix Anime Titles Revealed at MAPPA's 15th Anniversary Presentation
"Jimoto Saiko!" (wt) and "Beat & Motion" will join the previously announced third season of "Ranma1/2."
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[06/19/26 - 05:01 AM]
Netflix Announces Two New Samay Raina Titles: "India's Got Latent" Season 2 and an All-New Comedy Special in the Works
Raina's all-new comedy special, exclusive to Netflix, which is currently in development, will showcase Samay's signature observational humor, sharp storytelling, and unique perspective that have made him one of the most influential voices in contemporary Indian comedy.
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[06/18/26 - 03:01 PM]
"Bet" Season 2 Sets Additional Cast and Starts Production in Toronto
Season 1 reached the global top 10 on Netflix in 77 countries and spent three weeks on the list with over 10 million views during that time.
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[06/18/26 - 03:00 PM]
AMC Global Media's Critically Acclaimed Drama, "The Audacity," Commences Season 2 Production
Production of the eight-episode second season is underway in Vancouver, Canada, with the series returning to AMC and AMC+ in 2027.
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[06/18/26 - 02:47 PM]
Stars Shine Bright on FOX as Strong FIFA World Cup 2026 Viewership Continues
9,082,000 viewers witnessed Lionel Messi's hat trick with Argentina defeating Algeria 3-0 Tuesday on FOX.
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[06/18/26 - 02:34 PM]
UFC Freedom 250 Reaches 17M Total Viewers in U.S. and Latin America on Paramount+
Since the beginning of the year, 16 million subscriber households have watched more than 180 million hours of UFC programming on Paramount+ - delivering viewership more than 20x the average pay-per-view event over the past two years.
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[06/18/26 - 01:56 PM]
"Rulers of Fortune": Netflix Gathers Cast to Celebrate the Start of Season 2 Production
Season 1 was a massive success, reaching Netflix's Global Top 10 and spending six weeks among the platform's most-watched non-English-language titles worldwide.
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[06/18/26 - 12:30 PM]
Wonder Project Unveils First-Ever Line-Up of Six Stand-Up Comedy Specials - "Wonder Presents: The Stand-Ups" - Beginning July 2
From award-winning comedy studio, New Metric Media, each of the six specials will debut weekly, starring comedians Caroline Rhea, K. Trevor Wilson, Sterling Scott, Ola Dada, Zabrina Douglas, and Erica Sigurdson.
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[06/18/26 - 12:05 PM]
Lacey Chabert Brings a Beloved Romantic Story to Life in the Limited Series "Paris Is Always a Good Idea," Premiering Thursday, July 30 Exclusively on Hallmark+
Based on the bestselling novel by Jenn McKinlay, the six-episode globe-trotting romance takes viewers on a heartfelt journey through Paris, Ireland and Spain filled with love, self-discovery and second chances.
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[06/18/26 - 11:11 AM]
Prime Video Announces Season Three of "Fallout" Adds Emily Mortimer, Manny Jacinto, and Thomasin McKenzie to Cast
The critically acclaimed global hit series, from Kilter Films, returns to Los Angeles this month to begin filming season three.
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[06/18/26 - 11:01 AM]
Apple Original Films to Bring Beloved Children's Book "Little Santa" to the Screen
How did Santa become Santa? The answer is in the evergreen musical comedy adventure, "Little Santa."
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[06/18/26 - 11:00 AM]
FOX Creator Studios Expands Roster with New Wave of Creator Partners, Original Formats and Premium IP
Now joining the FCS roster, which already ranges from culinary icon Gordon Ramsay to renowned comedian Tom Segura, are popular creators including Josh Richards, Emelia Hartford, Speeed Co, Sorted Food, MyHealthyDish, Mad Realities, and Christina Richardson.
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[06/18/26 - 10:31 AM]
Netflix's "The God of the Woods" Rounds Out Cast with Tracy Letts, John Gallagher Jr. Lola Kirke, Colton Ryan and More
The multi-generational drama series explores the Van Laar family's dark secrets, class tensions, and the mysteries surrounding the disappearance of 13 year old Barbara Van Laar from her family's summer camp - in the wake of an earlier family tragedy that may be related.
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[06/18/26 - 10:31 AM]
"Jimmy Kimmel Live" Announces a Strong Lineup of Summer Guest Hosts
Tiffany Haddish will lead things off, hosting the week of July 6, followed throughout the summer by Anthony Anderson, Ike Barinholtz, Colman Domingo and Jelly Roll.
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[06/18/26 - 10:12 AM]
Missing Woman, Endless Questions: David Morrissey Stars in "Gone" - BritBox's Latest Gripping Crime Thriller
Packed with twists and emotional stakes, the series premieres July 23 on BritBox.
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